Let’s be honest – most of us use Google every single day without giving it much thought. It’s quick, reliable, and it’s always there when we need to look up random things like “can dogs eat carrots?” or “why do my houseplants hate me?”.
But what if I told you there’s a search engine out there that actually helps the planet while you browse? Meet Ecosia – the search engine that plants trees with your searches.

What is Ecosia?
Ecosia is a search engine just like Google or Bing, but with a major eco-friendly twist: it uses its ad revenue to plant trees. Yep, every time you search, a portion of the money generated from ads goes directly toward reforestation projects around the world. Since its founding in 2009, Ecosia has helped plant over 180 million trees in areas that desperately need them.
How Does Ecosia Work?
It’s simple: you search the web, ads appear (just like on Google), and when people click on those ads, Ecosia earns money. Instead of hoarding profits like some other search engines (looking at you, Google), Ecosia donates 80% of its profits to tree-planting efforts.
On average, it takes about 45 searches to fund the planting of a single tree. That might sound like a lot, but think about how many times a day you look something up. If you make the switch to Ecosia, you could be responsible for planting dozens of trees in a year – just by searching for things like “best sustainable sneakers” or “how to make oat milk at home.”
Why Is Ecosia a Good Alternative to Google?
Besides the obvious (trees = good), Ecosia has a lot going for it:
🌲 Privacy-Friendly – Unlike Google, Ecosia doesn’t sell your data to advertisers, track your searches, or store your personal information.
🌲 Carbon-Negative – Not only does Ecosia plant trees, but it also runs on 100% renewable energy and removes CO₂ from the atmosphere with every search.
🌲 Transparency – Ecosia publishes monthly financial reports, so you can actually see where the money is going.
🌲 Supports Reforestation in Critical Areas – Trees are planted in places like Brazil, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso, helping to restore habitats, prevent desertification, and support local communities.
Does Ecosia Work as Well as Google?
Ecosia uses Microsoft Bing’s search technology, with a little bit of its own magic mixed in. While Google is still the king of search accuracy, Ecosia does a solid job for most everyday searches. If you’re looking for super niche or highly technical information, you might still need Google here and there – but for 90% of your searches, Ecosia is more than enough.
How to Make the Switch
Switching to Ecosia is ridiculously easy:
1. Go to www.ecosia.org
2. Set it as your default search engine (they have easy guides for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox)
3. Start searching and start planting trees!
If you’re on mobile, you can also download the Ecosia app and set it as your default browser.
Small Change, Big Impact
Switching search engines might not feel like a huge deal. But that’s the thing about sustainable choices: the little things add up. By making Ecosia your go-to search engine, you can help reforest the planet, support local communities, and fight climate change – all without spending a single extra dollar or changing your routine.
So, why not give it a shot? Your internet searches might just make the world a little greener.