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.