DDG bangs can be used anywhere in the string. I use them at the end so if I want to try another source I can just update "searchingthis !mq" with "searchingthis !gm". No need to go to the front of the query and update the keyword there.

Also, you don't have to configure anything. DDG bangs are intuitive. I find myself searching sites I wouldn't have otherwise.

As far as intuitive goes - see my other comment:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9733726

If I want to update the beginning of a string I ctrl+l -> home -> ctrl+shift+right arrow.

If it is at the end of the string I ctrl+l -> ctrl+shift+left arrow.

I don't mind having to press the home key on occasion that I'd try a different source (which is almost never).

You'd have to change the source if you were really searching hard though.

That whole process sounds clunkier than just using DDG and a browser with a dedicated search bar. I don't think I'll be switching to your method, but it sounds like something I could see some people doing prior to DDG's existence.

Ctrl+L highlights the navigation area (which doubles as a search bar in any current browser so long as a URL isn't inputted)

So the difference between the nav bar and a dedicated search bar is almost nil. They serve the same functionality, but one allows you to search domains without having to prefix a keyword.

It might sound clunky because I primarily use keyboard shortcuts instead of reaching over to my mouse.

If you choose DuckDuckGo as your search engine in Chrome/Firefox, you don't even have to do that!

But then you would have to choose DDG as your search engine. Same number of steps.