Privacy and Ethics Statement

Last Updated: May 9, 2025

At Gokstad Search, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of privacy, ethics, and information quality. Our mission is to provide search results that transcend the ordinary, guided by a steadfast dedication to user safety, legality, and the amplification of authoritative sources.

Information Collection and Usage

As of the last update of this Privacy Policy, Gokstad Search does not collect any personal information from its users. We do not use any tracking technologies on our website. With the exception of account login, we do not use cookies. However, to continually improve our services and ensure that we meet our users' needs, our system discreetly logs non-personal data related to search queries, such as the type of content searched and the frequency of certain queries. This process helps us identify information blind spots and enhance the breadth and relevance of our search results. Rest assured, these logs do not contain any personally identifiable information and are strictly used to refine and enhance the quality of our search engine, thereby benefiting our users by providing more comprehensive and accurate search results.

If this changes in the future, we will update this Privacy Policy accordingly to inform you of any new data collection practices.

Third-Party Disclosure

We do not share any user information with third parties since we do not collect any personal data.

Technology Independence and Privacy Enhancement

At Gokstad Search, we take pride in our commitment to providing a search experience that is entirely independent and free from reliance on external technologies. Unlike some search engines, we do not partner with or use the services of Google, Bing, or any other external search providers.

Confidentiality of Searches

We prioritize the confidentiality of your searches. Gokstad Search will never share your search queries with any third parties, except for services directly involved in responding to your search requests. Rest assured that your search information is treated with the utmost respect for your privacy.

Gokstad Image Cleanser: Privacy and Liability

Gokstad Search is proud to offer the Gokstad Image Cleanser, a tool designed with your privacy and anonymity in mind. The Gokstad Image Cleanser operates entirely in your browser, ensuring that all processing occurs locally on your device. At no point are your files uploaded to our servers or any third-party service. We believe this privacy-focused approach underscores our commitment to safeguarding your data and empowering you to take control of your digital footprint.

While we strive to provide reliable tools, all software is provided as-is. By using the Gokstad Image Cleanser or any other features on Gokstad Search, you agree to do so at your own risk. Gokstad Search disclaims any liability for potential damages or losses incurred through the use of its tools or services.

Enhancing Privacy with a Quality VPN

While we strive to provide a secure search environment, we understand the importance of empowering users with security and privacy, we recommend considering the use of a quality Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN can further encrypt your internet connection, making it more challenging for external entities to monitor your online activities.

Exclusion of Inappropriate Content

We firmly stand against the indexing of illegal websites, hate groups, violent extremist groups, terrorist groups, illicit drug sites, and pedophile or pornographic sites, aligning with our dedication to fostering a secure, responsible, and lawful online environment for our users. To uphold this commitment, our crawlers operate with a block list encompassing over 10 million sexually explicit websites, preventing their indexing. However, due to the vast expanse of the internet, complete blocking of all explicit content is unfeasible. Our crawlers employ a blend of directed and free-roaming approaches, navigating through links while cross-referencing against the block list to determine indexing permissions. In the event of inadvertent indexing of explicit material, prompt removal is ensured upon discovery. Moreover, should such material involve the exploitation of children, immediate reporting to the authorities is undertaken with full cooperation.

Amplification of Authoritative Sources

Gokstad Search takes pride in its dedication to elevating the quality and reliability of search results. We actively amplify authoritative sources to provide users with trustworthy, accurate, and verified information. By prioritizing credibility, we contribute to a digital landscape that values accuracy and accountability.

Gokstad AI

Gokstad AI is an independent and privacy-focused environment intended to provide users with unbiased information and assistance. Unlike other AI-powered services, Gokstad AI does not collect personal data or sell user information to third parties. Its primary goal is to empower individuals by offering them access to reliable and unfiltered information. Gokstad AI's independence ensures that it operates without any external influence or control, allowing it to provide truly unbiased results. This independence is achieved through a decentralized network of servers, which are not controlled by any single entity. Additionally, Gokstad AI's code is open-source, meaning that anyone can review and verify its functionality. Privacy is at the heart of Gokstad AI's design. It does not require users to create accounts or provide personal information. All interactions with the AI are completely anonymous and encrypted.

Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we are protecting your data.

Thank you for choosing Gokstad Search.