Qwant is free. Here is what funds the search engine — without charging you or profiling you.
Contextual Advertising
The main source of revenue is contextual advertising:
- When you type a search, ads corresponding to your current query may appear.
- These ads are clearly identified as advertisements.
- Advertisers pay to appear on specific keywords.
These ads depend on your current search — not on a profile built from your past activity.
Shopping Affiliate Program
When you use the Shopping panel and click through to a merchant site, Qwant may receive an affiliate commission on purchases made afterward. This commission is paid by the merchant — you pay the same price as if you had gone directly to the site.
The Shopping affiliate program does not influence the ranking of Web results, which remain based on relevance.
What Qwant Does Not Sell
Qwant does not sell your personal data, your searches, your email address, your profile, or your browsing history. None of this data is marketed to third parties.
Why This Model Is Viable
The contextual model earns less per user than a behavioral model. But it is sustainable in the long term: no GDPR risk, no dependence on third-party cookies, a clear promise for users who value their privacy.