A few months ago, while trying to solve a critical server issue, I found myself typing three different queries into Google within seconds. This realization hit me with how deeply ingrained my reliance on information access had become, and it prompted me to start the "30 Days Without Google" experiment. While completely ditching Google initially seemed impossible, it's actually feasible and can offer unexpected benefits, though it comes with significant challenges.
This experiment wasn't just a digital detox; it was also an attempt to see how I could exist in the tech world, which I've been a part of for 20 years, outside of mainstream tools. For me personally, this challenge gave me the opportunity to question my habits and rethink my digital footprint.
How I Started My 30 Days Without Google
Before embarking on this adventure, I listed all the Google services I used and their place in my life. Gmail, Google Search, Chrome, YouTube, Google Maps, the core Android services, and even some Google APIs I used in my side projects were all part of this list. My goal was to completely break away from this ecosystem and find alternative solutions.
As a first step, I migrated my personal and work emails to ProtonMail. I made DuckDuckGo and Brave Search my primary search engines. On my Android phone, I tried to manage apps by disabling Google Play Services and using F-Droid and Aurora Store.
