I've had the exact opposite experience for the past year. I had to switch the default to DDG at work where I need to search for specific model numbers every day. I don't remember the last time I actually Googled something on the PC or phone (Firefox search bar with DDG default). I only use Google for maps where it's always been the best.

The only time I ever need to use a google bang is when im searching for something specifically local like a restaurant. DDG uses apple maps and apple maps is complete garbage.

When I cant find something on DDG and I use the !g 99% of the time I cant find it on google either.

i use ecosia, it works :3

It really seems to depend on the topic. I would say, on average DDG is better from my experience. However, when it doesn't work it really doesn't work. Google usually has something you want fairly early in the results.

I moved to DDG because I felt Google results were getting worse. You would search for something specific and instead just get varying degrees of the same article on different sites about it instead.

Then I felt DDG was getting worse in just not always getting what was related, so I've moved to qwant.

Other than not always getting geo-related results, the results have been the best I've seen in a while so I've stuck around for now.

Same. Ddg can't find shit.

I dont think that would help because chrome would offer good by default and apple would offer chrome by default for the "best experience" and they dont need the money. Then alternative browsers with an already low market share would get paid less to offer other search engines. Its risky to ship a non google search by default.