Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kin?

Kin is the new name for the search engine developed by Better Internet Search. It is an alternative search engine based on web 3 technology that is both privacy-preserving and ad-free. It was developed in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University and with financial support from the EU's Next Generation Internet Trust. Kin has a unique token-based rewards system and is currently available as a prototype product.

How do I get Kin?

The prototype version of Kin is available here.

Why is it called Kin?

The Kin name reflects the community nature of our search engine. We developed Kin so that our user community can work together, as kindred spirits, to change the current unfair search engine business models that sell us as a product to advertisers. The new Kin strap-line is 'The power of us'. We believe that our community working together will generate sufficient power to disrupt the search market and deliver a real alternative to the current status quo.

Is Kin like Google?

We are very different to Google, however the way you search is still the same. You provide keywords in a search box, but rather than getting ads (or click bait and scams) you only get results straight to the top of the page. This saves you time, saves you from distraction, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of your search by about 35%. As part of the Kin community the next benefit you get is rewards, when you help us to make money we give you tokens that have a value. Google and other search engines make money from your data by selling you as a product to advertiser and don't give you any reward.

Our search service is free to use, and while other search engines also claim to be free, an often neglected aspect of ad-based internet services is the indirect financial and social cost. This blog post gives some insights into this.

What is Better Internet Search?

Better Internet Search Ltd is the company that developed the Kin search engine technology and is based in Kirkcaldy (Fife, Scotland). The current prototype uses that name since the Kin brand had not been developed when the prototype was released. The Kin beta will be released in early 2023 and will adopt the new Kin branding.

Do I need to login every time I use Kin?

No, you only really need to login once per device, or after you have intentionally logged out. Your device should automatically remember your credentials and so you will not normally see the login screen.

Can I set Kin as my default search engine?

Yes, this is possible on popular browsers including Chrome, Edge and on our recommended browser, Brave. For smartphones and tablets you can simply add the Better Internet Search icon to your desktop/home screen for instant access. The set-up  instructions are here.

What is the Kin community?

The Kin community is both users and supporters, and is characterised by owning tokens. Kin was developed for the user and we distribute reward tokens for activities that either create revenue, or that grow the community. Supporters are those that help fund our development by purchasing tokens.

Why does the search engine use tokens?

Our community of token holders (users and supporters) represents ownership of the search engine's economy and hence our community will share in our future success that they have helped to achieve. This community benefit is realised by the future ability to sell tokens. We use tokens as rewards for activities that lead to revenue or community growth. We fund the tokens via revenue sharing which gives them a value, and this value should increase as revenues accelerate.

What personal data does Better Internet Search hold?

All of the data we use, such as your input of keywords, is used only for the purposes of delivering the service and for training our algorithms, after your search results are delivered we disassociate this data with personal accounts.  We hold very small amounts of personal data to run this service (e.g. your email address) and we are, of course, GDPR compliant. In future we may use other personal information such as user controlled personas, however this will only be with your permission and we will only use the data to provide services you want. Opting out will not lead to any denial of services, it will just mean these services are less personalised for your needs.

Can I invest in Kin?

As a user in the Kin community you will automatically become invested in the platform through our token rewards system. You accumulate more tokens us you use the search engine and as the community grows the value of each token should also increase. If you wish to become even more invested and support the Kin development you can also buy supporter tokens. There are more details in our white paper and you can register for tokens here.

How does Kin make money without using ads?

Today, internet users often have a buying intent (30% of UK retail sales are online), and almost all web-based sales begin with multiple searches. Thus, to make online sales there is no real requirement for ads, but there is a need for a product search facility that can find the product users are looking for. Our shopping search option allows users with buying intent to find what they are seeking (we can find more products than Amazon and Ebay combined). As a broker of product sales we receive a small percentage commission on all sales. Because we have a greater range of products than sites like Amazon, and we also give users a reward tokens, there is good reason why you would choose Kin for online shopping rather than checking multiple online retailers.

When was Kin first made available?

The earliest version of Kin (with the old Better Internet Search branding) was released on 22nd December 2020. Our very first customers joined us after buying search tokens via our Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. After experimenting with paid tokens we refined the business model and now there is no need to buy tokens instead our users earn reward tokens.

Are Kin tokens a cryptocurrency?

No, they are what is called a utility token rather than a currency. The tokens are recorded on a blockchain, but only to ensure that they are secure and cannot be replicated (forged) and cause damage to the Kin ecosystem. If you would like to learn more about the token and the 'tokenomics' we would like to refer you to our white paper.

Can I check the company credentials?

Yes, we welcome you to run any checks you wish. The company (Better Internet Search Ltd) is registered in Scotland, registration number SC628843 and the registered address is 57 Loughborough Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 3BZ, UK. You may confirm this and check other company details via the official Companies House website.

I have a different question

Please just email us via the contact page and we will get back to you as soon as we can.