Ecosia Launches New Browser to Expand Sustainability Efforts

Ecosia, the environmentally conscious search engine known for funding tree-planting initiatives, has unveiled a new cross-platform browser in a bid to broaden its online presence. 

Michael Metcalf, Ecosia’s chief product officer, announced the update on Monday to Tech Crunch. 

Metcalf said that the expansion into browsers aligns with the company's sustainability goals. 

Available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, the new browser is constructed upon Google's open-source Chromium browser project, resulting in a user experience akin to Google Chrome. 

Despite the similarities, Ecosia views this familiarity as advantageous, as it may encourage users to make the switch more readily. 

The browser offers customizable features, allowing users to tailor their landing page by removing sections such as top sites or the climate impact widget. 

"The main reason we are building a browser is because we want to go where our users are and start to expand the footprint of where they can be sustainable," Metcalf stated. 

In addition to the browsing experience, Ecosia is introducing an affiliate shopping program within the new browser. 

This initiative will display links to shopping sites like Amazon, eBay, and Decathlon under the sponsored links section, with all earnings directed toward tree planting and similar environmental projects. 

Metcalf emphasized Ecosia's commitment to promoting sustainability while acknowledging the popularity of online shopping. 

Through the affiliate program, the company aims to give back while enhancing the browsing interface, integrating AI chatbot functionality, and offering increased customization options. 

Initially targeting its existing user base of 20 million search engine users, Ecosia plans to expand its marketing efforts to consumers aligned with environmental causes. 

While early beta testing has shown promising retention rates, the company has not disclosed specific data regarding the impact on search traffic resulting from the new browser. 

Last year, Ecosia underwent structural changes to its search engine, experimenting with Google Search alongside Bing in select markets. This move marked a departure from relying solely on Bing for search results. Furthermore, Ecosia recently celebrated the milestone of planting over 200 million trees across 95,000 locations worldwide.