Tutorial - install your own SearXNG (privacy metasearch engine)

Hi guys

In this tutorial i will show you how you can install easy SearXNG in 10 minutes.

What is SearXNG?
SearXNG (Next Generation) is an open source metasearch engine that supports over 138 search engines and preserves your privacy.
https://docs.searxng.org/
Public instances:
https://searx.space/
Requirements
- You need access to your VPS Server (example: https://www.edisglobal.com/) with SSH Client like Putty (https://www.putty.org/)
- You need access to your domain DNS records (example https://www.cloudflare.com/)
- You need an energy drink ;-)

Step 1:
Register a domain like SearXNG.yz

Step 2:
Create a cheap VPS server (example https://www.edisglobal.com/ for 5$ per month)
In my Tutorial i use Ubuntu 22.04 LTS


Step 3: create an A record of your domain SearXNG.yz to the VPS server IP X.X.X.X


Step 4: start the SSH connection to your VPS Server


Step 5: login with your root account & password

Step 6: update your ubuntu server with
type Yes + Enter
It will ask you maybe about Kernel update & restart the service --> enter

Step 7: install git, docker & compose
type yes

Step 8: add firewall rules for http

Step 9: add firewall rules for https

Step 10: switch to this path

Step 11: clone SearXNG from git

Step 12: open this path

Step 13: open this path

Step 14: type ls

you should see the file settings.yml


Step 15: create openssl key and copy this key


Step 16: open the settings.yml file

Step 17: paste the OpenSSL key in the secret key between "..."


Step 18: close with ctrl + x --> y --> enter

Step 19: type back

Step 20: type ll & enter

Step 21: open the file .env with nano .env

Step 22: delete the # by Hostname & E-Mail and tpye your domain & email address

SEARXNG_HOSTNAME=searxng.yz
LETSENCRYPT_EMAIL=[email protected]


Step 23: close with ctrl + x --> y --> enter

Step 24: start docker compose as demon (it takes time)

Step 25: open in your browser your domain searxng.yz. the engine should now works


If you like my tutorial, please give me a like and follow me for more future tutorials

SearXNG update

Step 1: switch in your searx-docker folder

Step 2: type pull command

Step 3: type down command

Step 4: start demon

Result:


PS: if you select in the settings GET as HTTP method, you can switch also back in the browser if you open a website and wanna back to the search engine

Thanks. This will come handy in the future.

Thank you, finally a proper step by step guide. very easy to understand.