[brainless]

I think we are looking at this the wrong way. It is not about other competitors, it is how much daily users will not move away from Google search.

If the startup advice about "build a product your users will love" is true then we certainly are not seeing a compelling competitor. A few good efforts are there, including DDG, but none with mass appeal.

Just non-cooperating with Google does not solve the issue. Even Ecosia, from comments in this thread, seems to have unclear resources and mission. So why should I as a user use them? Are they also not simply using marketing tactics instead of building an awesome product? Which, BTW, is mindbogglingly difficult.