The Dating Game: Browser and Search Edition
It should come as no surprise that Google, a name now synonymous with search, is the belle of the ball for search engines. But will that always be the case?
Recent news indicates that Google may no longer be the ideal date it once was for the most popular web browsers. Firefox’s recent announcement that they’re switching to Yahoo was enough to shake up the search engine dating world, but Google’s love life with browsers may be taking another hit soon. The engine’s partnership with Safari is due to end next year, and both Bing and Yahoo are making it clear that they’re interested.
In light of these events, let’s take a look at the relationship statuses of some of the most popular browsers and search engines.
Google Chrome Loves Google
They say opposites attract, but sometimes it’s better to be exactly the same. It’s no surprise that Google paired their proprietary browser with their own search engine. This combination led Google to a commanding lead in both markets.
Google also operates YouTube, which can technically be considered the second largest search engine.
Firefox’s New Boo is Yahoo
After a 10-year relationship, Firefox has decided to dump Google for Yahoo. As with any major change in relationship status, rumors started flying immediately. Was Firefox upset that Google is investing more in its own browser instead? Is Yahoo just willing to give Firefox more than Google?
Either way, losing Firefox is not a small blow for Google. According to CEO Chris Beard, the browser is responsible for more than 100 billion searches a year. Most of those will now go to Yahoo.
Safari on the Rocks with Google
Google may also need to address its current relationship with Apple’s Safari. The two still have an agreement to stay together into 2015, but Bing and Yahoo are currently courting Safari as potential new suitors.
Apple and Google are no strangers to a rocky relationship, either. They are direct competitors in the mobile phone market leading, in part, to Apple’s ditching of Google Maps and switching to Bing for Siri and other non-browser-based searches on iOS.
Opera and Google Forever
The smallest of the top five browsers currently has no known plans to move away from the search giant, making Opera one of Google’s most stable partners for the foreseeable future.
Internet Explorer Adores Bing
While Bing is still one of the big three in terms of search, it is currently only the default engine for its parent company’s own browser, Internet Explorer. Bing is not without its partners, though. Microsoft uses it for all of their products, including Xbox and Windows Phone.
It is also worth noting that Bing plays a role in providing Yahoo’s search results, though it is unclear how much longer that partnership will last.
Still Single- DuckDuckGo
While the major players in search start to shake up the industry, it’s worth keeping an eye on some of the smaller engines that are starting to play a larger role.
The biggest among these is probably DuckDuckGo, which puts an emphasis on the growing concern of privacy. While this engine may not be the default for any of the major browsers, many of them include it in their lists of secondary options which has led to significant growth.
