In a recent LinkedIn post, Dan Sherrard-Smith outlines his reasons for switching from Google to Ecosia, a search engine that directs advertising revenue towards environmental projects. Sherrard-Smith highlights the tangible impact of using Ecosia, noting that a single setting change on his laptop contributed to the planting of over 253 million trees and the dedication of more than €102 million to climate action.
He emphasizes the ease of this transition, stating it took only two minutes. Sherrard-Smith details his decision to abandon Google in favor of Ecosia, a move driven by the latter’s commitment to environmental and ethical practices.
“And it only took 2 minutes.”
Sherrard-Smith provides a comprehensive list of reasons why he prefers Ecosia, focusing on its corporate structure, profit allocation, and operational sustainability. He points out that Ecosia is a certified B Corporation and operates as a non-profit entity.
Ecosia’s Commitment to Climate Action and Sustainability
A key aspect highlighted by Sherrard-Smith is Ecosia’s dedication to funding environmental initiatives. According to him, 80% of the company’s advertising profits are channeled into projects worldwide. Furthermore, Ecosia operates entirely on renewable energy, even generating twice the amount of solar power it consumes, underscoring its commitment to a sustainable operational model.
“It’s a certified B Corporation and non-profit. 80% of ad profits fund projects globally. They run on 100% renewable energy. They produce twice the solar power they need.”
Sherrard-Smith further elaborates on Ecosia’s unique business model, which is designed to prevent profit extraction and prioritize its mission. He notes that Ecosia is owned by The Purpose Foundation, which holds 1% of the shares and legally binds the company to reinvest all profits. This structure ensures that the company’s primary goal remains its environmental mission rather than shareholder enrichment.
Privacy as a Core Value
Beyond its environmental contributions, Sherrard-Smith also lauds Ecosia’s strong stance on user privacy. He contrasts this with the practices of larger tech companies, stating that Ecosia does not track users or build personal profiles. Even when users click on ads, the activity remains anonymous, a significant departure from conventional search engine practices.
“They don’t track you or build user profiles. (When you click ads, it stays anonymous)”
Sherrard-Smith also highlights Ecosia’s transparency and community partnerships. He mentions that the company’s financial reports are fully transparent and that it collaborates with communities globally. This holistic approach, combining environmental impact, ethical operations, and user privacy, forms the crux of his argument for choosing Ecosia.
The Founder’s Sacrifice for the Mission
Perhaps the most striking point made by Sherrard-Smith concerns the founder’s commitment to Ecosia’s mission. He reveals that in 2018, the founder legally committed to never selling the company and that no one, including himself, could ever profit from it. This radical decision ensures that Ecosia remains dedicated to its purpose of planting trees and supporting climate action.
“In 2018 the founder signed a contract that means Ecosia can never be sold, and nobody, including him, can ever take a penny of profit out of it. He legally gave away his own ability to get rich from it.”
Sherrard-Smith concludes by posing a question to his audience, inviting discussion on whether this move by the founder was a good one, and encourages reposting to spread awareness about Ecosia’s model.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Dan Sherrard-Smith on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 16, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →