Whoogle is a lightweight web application that acts as an alternative frontend to Google Search, focusing on reducing tracking and removing ads while still showing Google results. It is commonly deployed as a personal or shared search portal and can be run via Docker or directly with Python.

Key Features

Proxy-style Google results page with reduced tracking and a simplified UI
Removes ads and many tracking/telemetry parameters from result links
Configurable search preferences (e.g., language/region, safe search, themes)
Optional integration modes for browsers (e.g., OpenSearch) to use as a default search engine
Supports hosting behind reverse proxies and in containerized deployments

Use Cases

Private search gateway for a household, small team, or home lab
Default search engine endpoint for privacy-conscious browsers/devices
Network-level “clean” search portal for kiosks or shared machines

Limitations and Considerations

Relies on Google’s public web interface and may be impacted by throttling/CAPTCHA or layout changes
Not a full independent search index; results quality/availability depends on Google

Whoogle is a pragmatic option for users who want Google-quality results while minimizing tracking and advertising. Its small footprint and straightforward deployment make it suitable for personal infrastructure and privacy-focused environments.