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Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

blog.mozilla.org

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Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#11

Post by dec0dedab0de »

I really just wish they would go back to letting the search bar change on the fly and remain that way until you change it back. With the little icon letting you know which service it is currently set to.

Does anyone know why that functionality was removed? If I'm searching for anything other than my default chances are I'm going to be searching at least 3 different things before getting it right, but then I can't just change the text and press enter.

While I'm ranting, when did google stop paying attention to the actual words you type and starting showing what they think you meant? I mean I know it's been gradual, but at some point over the last few years I've noticed having to use quotes for almost everything, and it still doesn't return exact results. I assume that has something to do with how they normalize the ngrams and how I'm not the target audience anymore, but it's still annoying.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#12

Post by pythonaut_16 »

ocdtrekkie wrote: post #5

There will likely be some people errantly suggesting this is due to search quality. It is not. Yahoo previously outbid Google approximately three years ago for that default search offering, and it's likely their arrangement has come to an end. One of Mozilla's strongest sources of funding comes from selling the default search engine spot to the highest bidder. EDIT: As an interesting note: Yahoo's deal was for five y…

Which is a great choice IMO. Open source software needs funding, and I'm always a fan of projects finding ways to be self supporting rather than relying solely on donations.

Changing default search is trivial enough for anyone who cares to, and if they did go with Duck Duck Go or similar as the default, I think you'd likely find many/most users changing the default search to Google anyway.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#13

Post by ocdtrekkie »

ethhics wrote: post #7

So Mozilla backed out of their 5-year contract with Yahoo then [1]. Do they have a new agreement with Google that I'm not seeing anywhere? [1] https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/11/19/promoting-choice-an...

My guess is the other way around: Yahoo backed out of their contract with Mozilla. The biggest difference for either of these companies this year is that Verizon now owns Yahoo, and probably doesn't want to pay for search market share. If the deal's a yearly cost or something similar, the bill's coming up in December.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#15

Post by neuland »

mrarjonny wrote: post #4

DuckDuckGo, Start Page, or Qwant might have been a little more in the spirit of Mozilla and privacy. Then again it takes about half a second to change the default search to your own preference. Google is probably the most approachable for the vast majority of users. It is a sensible move in that regard.

Your right on a privacy front from an absolute perspective. But, it's almost certain that Google paid for this change. A stronger Mozilla (financially speaking) is good for privacy and free software.

Also, normal users expect Google. So, having it in the default provides a more familiar experience for them to possibly switch to Firefox.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#16

Post by porfirium »

ronjouch wrote: post #8

Shortened title is misleading: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider... "in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan" EDIT title updated (within HN title length constraints, I guess), thanks admins :)

It's already the default in Europe from what I've seen.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#17

Post by jonnycomputer »

dec0dedab0de wrote: post #11

I really just wish they would go back to letting the search bar change on the fly and remain that way until you change it back. With the little icon letting you know which service it is currently set to. Does anyone know why that functionality was removed? If I'm searching for anything other than my default chances are I'm going to be searching at least 3 different things before getting it right, but then I can't jus…

I feel the same way.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#18

Post by davej »

dec0dedab0de wrote: post #11

I really just wish they would go back to letting the search bar change on the fly and remain that way until you change it back. With the little icon letting you know which service it is currently set to. Does anyone know why that functionality was removed? If I'm searching for anything other than my default chances are I'm going to be searching at least 3 different things before getting it right, but then I can't jus…

Probably because search providers (e.g.. Google/DDG) will pay more for exclusive preference on the search bar.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#19

Post by cujo »

nimbius wrote: post #9

just another reason to avoid it. mandatory telemetry, mandatory pulseaudio in linux, pocket, that weird failed video chat thing, and the DRM add-on that literally no one asked for.

I'm seeing a checkbox to disable DRM content playing in preferences. I know it's just one item in your list, but at least it's an option.

Re: Firefox Features Google as Default Search Provider in the U.S.

#20

Post by Karunamon »

nimbius wrote: post #9

just another reason to avoid it. mandatory telemetry, mandatory pulseaudio in linux, pocket, that weird failed video chat thing, and the DRM add-on that literally no one asked for.

Don’t forget the plugins which are a shell of their former selves.
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