Presearch is a decentralized search engine that rewards users with its native cryptocurrency, PRE tokens, for searching and contributing to the community. It aims to build a decentralized search protocol that focuses on user privacy and fairness, offering an alternative to traditional search engines by involving the community in its development and governance.
Presearch operates on the Ethereum blockchain, utilizing a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. It employs a proprietary search algorithm powered by blockchain technology and contributions from the Presearch community to create and manage a decentralized search index. Users can earn PRE tokens through searching and community activities, while advertisers participate in a Keyword Staking system to secure ad placements using PRE tokens.
Presearch has several potential use cases including:
These use cases apply to industries like digital advertising, privacy-focused services, AI, and machine learning.
Presearch was founded by Colin Pape, inspired by the need for an open and transparent alternative to dominant search engines like Google. Pape's journey began with the creation of ShopMidland.com in 2000, and in response to challenges faced from Google's overwhelming influence, he developed Presearch in 2013. The project gained momentum with a small team in 2017 exploring the blockchain potential and launched as a community-focused search platform, continuously evolving with technological integrations such as AI and blockchain enhancements.