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Have you been unsatisfied with Google search results over the years? You are not alone. We have some viable alternatives further down this email. 

💵 Today’s Top Stories

🏠️ Today’s Current Mortgage Rates

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.65% and 15-year rates are 5.89% as of March 27, 2025. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

Refi Info | Mortgage Refi Calculator

🖥️ Google Still Dominates Search, but Options Are Building

Google became the most popular search engine in 2000 and has remained so for 25 years.

But if you’ve become less satisfied with Google over time, you’re not alone.

The company slowly has turned up the revenue dial over the years, adding more paid content to the top of results.

A.I. has become a huge part of Google search results as well (not necessarily good or bad, but different).

Privacy is another key issue that hasn’t won Google any major fans. DuckDuckGo, founded on the premise of much greater privacy, long has provided a well-liked but minor alternative, sacrificing custom results based on your data in exchange.

But it feels like Google is facing some serious competition perhaps for the first time in its quarter-century reign. Some are turning directly to A.I. to act as de facto “search engines,” at least in many use cases.

Kagi offers an interesting alt model, whether or not it catches on: paid, ad-free, privacy-first search. Whereas streaming has gravitated toward ad-supported models, could search do the opposite – or at least start giving us greater optionality?

For at least $10 a month, here’s what you’re getting, according to The Hustle:

“Kagi is apparently just as good as Google used to be, but the selling point (literally) is the control you have over results.

“You can limit searches to a curated list of trustworthy websites, block results from sites you don’t want to see, and customize Kagi’s look – essentially shaping the way you want the internet to function.”

📊 Stat of the Day

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

🎙️ Podcast

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, are we heading into a recession? Clark shares his prediction and explains why now is the time to prepare your finances.

☎️ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

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