Google Risks Losing Spot As Default Search Engine On Safari

A deal signed back in 2007 made Google the default search engine on iOS devices, and the latest extension of that deal is going to expire next year. This means that there’s a chance Google might end up losing this coveted spot in the Safari browser on iPhones and iPads, and the company’s rivals aren’t making things easy. A report published today claims both Microsoft and Yahoo have reached out to Apple SVP Eddy Cue to argue that now its time to change search engines.

Microsoft and Yahoo obviously want to push their own search engines, which as it stands, have less market share as opposed to Google which is the undisputed king of search as far as usage numbers go. The Information reports today that Microsoft and Yahoo have held talks with Eddy Cue and have floated the idea of Apple finally ditching Google as the default search provider. Each company wants the spot for its search engine.

Microsoft already has a relationship with Apple when it comes to search. Bing is the default search provider used by Siri as well as the revamped Spotlight in OS X Yosemite. On the other hand Yahoo dealt a blow to Google by convincing Mozilla to drop it as the default search engine and adopt Yahoo instead.

It has to be said though that this doesn’t mean users won’t be able to change their preference for the default search engine. Google users are likely to do that anyway, moreover Apple has to see whether it makes sense for their millions of customers to adopt search engines that aren’t as popular as Google. This, and many other factors, might come into consideration before a decision is made by the time the Apple-Google search deal ends in 2015.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Tablets
Tags: Google, iOS