For general search, no real reason to veer far from google. But if you're looking for specific answers, there are other options. Wolfram Alpha for example.
Well every internet search engine is tracking all your stuff. Could you post the article? Read many on google and the founders as well as company couldn't be better people. Hiring process weeds out bad seeds, plus one of the founders was a Terp so i have to support google.
Might I also suggest you try Lougle(if anyone saw HotTubTimeMachine) they will get this joke