Practical digital skills

Use DuckDuckGo Search

Explore syntax, understand redirects through bangs and check privacy at each stage.

Step-by-step guideUpdated 1 October 2026

Published under the editorial responsibility of Alexis R. · Editorial charter

The answer in 30 seconds

Search privacy and the privacy of a website you visit are different questions. DuckDuckGo’s help explains its query syntax and the behaviour of shortcuts to other services.

Check the query and destination separately. A !bang sends the search to another service, where that service’s rules apply.

Examples to adapt

A bang opens a retailer

You are now using the retailer’s search and site policies.

A restriction misses a document

Relax the query and try the publisher’s internal search.

Follow the method

1
Try a normal query
Use subject and context, then open a relevant result. Avoid assuming that every operator behaves exactly like another engine’s.
2
Apply a useful restriction
Consult the documented syntax for site and file-type queries. Treat results as evidence to inspect, especially when matching is approximate.
3
Understand a shortcut
Before using a !bang, identify the receiving service. Observe the final domain after navigation.
4
Review the whole visit
Read the target site’s privacy and sign-in requirements. Do not enter sensitive details merely because the initial search service describes privacy protections.

A checklist to keep

Use these checks to record what you found. The grid supports a decision; it does not make one for you.

Use DuckDuckGo Search: checklist
Check	What to examine	Action
Query	Terms and supported syntax	Check the help page
Bang	Receiving service	Read the final domain
Visit	Site account and privacy rules	Evaluate separately
Coverage	Missing relevant documents	Relax restrictions