Know-How Exchange : SEO/SEM

Doesn't DDG use the standard search engines (Google, etc.) as their search, or do they have their own search engine? If standard search engine, then you would follow the standard processes, but realizing that those users who use DDG will have a lot less data available for the search engine to sue to help target.

Not exactly, local optimization is possible because even with this privacy conditions we can see approximate zone location of the user on map. I have read about this moment in this article
https://rotgar.medium.com/how-to-work-with-duckduckgo-2acf492ba1eb
And privacy doesn’t mean that this is a complete concealment of data. It’s a partial absence of statistics about users

To optimize your searches with DuckDuckGo, you can follow these tips and techniques:

1. Use specific search queries: To get more accurate results, be specific in your search queries. Include relevant keywords that are directly related to the information you're looking for. This will help DuckDuckGo understand your intent better.

2. Utilize quotation marks: If you're searching for an exact phrase or a specific set of words, enclose them in quotation marks. This tells DuckDuckGo to search for that exact phrase instead of individual words scattered throughout the page.

3. Exclude unwanted terms: If you want to exclude certain words from your search results, use a minus sign (-) before the word. For example, if you're searching for information about apples but want to exclude results about Apple Inc., you can search for "apples -Apple Inc."

4. Take advantage of DuckDuckGo's Instant Answers: DuckDuckGo provides instant answers for many queries, displaying useful information at the top of the search results. These instant answers often include definitions, calculations, conversions, and other relevant details, saving you time and effort.

5. Use DuckDuckGo's built-in syntax: DuckDuckGo has several built-in syntax features that can enhance your search experience. For example, you can use "define" before a word to get its definition, or use "!bangs" (e.g., "!w" for Wikipedia) to directly search specific websites.

6. Explore DuckDuckGo's settings: DuckDuckGo allows you to customize your search preferences. You can access the settings by clicking on the hamburger menu at the top-right corner of the DuckDuckGo homepage. Here, you can enable or disable various options, such as region-specific results or safe search filters, according to your preferences.

7. Install the DuckDuckGo browser extension: If you frequently use DuckDuckGo for your searches, consider installing the DuckDuckGo browser extension. This extension enhances your browsing experience by making DuckDuckGo your default search engine, blocking trackers, and providing privacy features.

8. Provide feedback: DuckDuckGo values user feedback to improve its search results. If you come across a search result that is irrelevant or incorrect, you can provide feedback directly to DuckDuckGo. This helps them refine their algorithms and provide better search results over time.

By implementing these strategies, you can optimize your searches with DuckDuckGo and make the most of its privacy-focused search engine while finding the information you need effectively.

Claim and optimize your business listing on local directories, using location-specific keywords in your website content, including your address and phone number on your website, and encouraging customer reviews and engagement on platforms that DuckDuckGo sources data from. Implement schema markup with local business structured data to improve your website's visibility in local search results.