Web search might be the most valuable single tool I use outside of my computer itself, or my vehicle.
If the only good option was paid, I would pay a lot. I think most other people would, too. But they'll keep using worse free options so long as those are passable.
I'm actually tremendously keen on paying for search, since it means (at least in theory and currently in practice) that I don't have to worry about a paid search engine catering to advertisers instead of me.
Like, it'd be nice if everything were free, but sadly everything has a cost, and we can see what the cost of "free" search is and it kinda sucks.
Was swearing at it only a few days ago due to stupid results it was showing, while completely ignoring the "-" sign.
Search term:
Notice how the majority of results still include either "roof" or "roofs" in it?Fucking useless. :( :( :(
Had to switch to Kagi, which at least seems to honour the negative signs.