[ldng]

This used to be true. Regularly I had to use the !g bang to find what I was looking for. Lately, I've realised that I hardly use it anymore and I do results are far worse on Google. Your mileage may vary of course but I don't bother with Google anymore.

[mancerayder]

Same. I went the DDG route a couple of years ago, and searching tech topics made me constantly do g!. And a few other things. Suddenly, Google's results go so much worse, that the duckduckgo offering just proved to be actually functional by comparison. And I think it actually has improved over the years. It's now my default browser search and I'm comfortable not having to worry about Google capturing every feeling or thought I have when I google something, and storing that for eternity.

Not to mention the awful vendor blogs and stores and secretive marketing clickbait masquerading as a neutral information totally dominating Google's page 1 and 2 of results.