Because I can configure exactly which search engines to index, no ads, use it for my local LLM's for search, better image search (maybe not better, but totally different results), a bazzillion tweaks and mods. I don't have to pay Kagi for the same results or keep track of how many searches I have left.

What is the hassle? I set it up once and just use it. When I hear about search engines that I don't think I want in my mix I go in and turn it off.

I looked into it before Kagi existed and you needed to be a sys admin or developer to be able to use it. It's not for the general public.

Not at all. You can run it with docker or you can use one of the myriad public instances.