Ubuntu switches default search engine. Will Google react ?
Many have commented on the event.
As I noted in a reply to Romain Beauxis's post, the only reason Google was the default search engine in Ubuntu, and is still in other distros is because Mozilla has a revenue deal with Google. Which means that actually, Mozilla might be getting money from Debian, Ubuntu and other distros' users actions on the Google search engine. (maybe not from Debian, though, because of the search url including iceweasel instead of firefox). Now, at least, Ubuntu will be the one getting the money.
One has to know that these revenue deals probably don't cost a dime to Google and Microsoft (through Yahoo), because they may be "transferring" revenue they get from the extra advertising revenue they can get from these users being using their search engine as default.
Anyways, much more interesting to know is how Google is going to react on other services: some core functionalities of Firefox (geolocation, safe browsing) are based on Google services. These are actually a possible problem for Debian, depending on the agreement between Mozilla and Google, and I have yet to address the RC bug I filed on my own package about these.
Now, since Google is going to get less advertising revenue from Ubuntu users in favour of one of its competitor, why should they provide the geolocation and safe browsing to these users ?
2010-01-27 17:02:41+0900
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
2010-01-27 18:03:08+0900
I think you miss one important point: Google is the default search engine in Debian not because of the Google/Mozilla deal, but because most users perceive it to be the *best* search engine.
If a web browser were packaged in Debian to that used Yahoo or Bing, users would file bugs and it would be changed.
Hypothetically, if 49% of Debian users decided they don’t want to use Google,
I would not be suprised to see a global search engine alternatives-like system be added to Debian to allow easy switching for them. I know that, given that I no longer use Google as my search engine, I have felt the pull of such an idea. Although currently it would be a lot of work for well, just me. :)
The really interesting thing about this Ubuntu change to me is that Ubuntu is effectively saying that they’re willing to make choices that are not the ones their users prefer.
2010-01-27 18:17:07+0900
Hi Mike !
Thanks for your comment, I did not know that Mozilla had a similar agreement with google.
As for Google’s reaction, I am also interested in this. In particular if you recap their post about the meaning of open:
In an open system, a competitive advantage doesn’t derive from locking in customers, but rather from understanding the fast-moving system better than anyone else and using that knowledge to generate better, more innovative products.
(…)
As long as we contribute a steady stream of great products we will prosper along with the entire ecosystem. We may get a smaller piece, but it will come from a bigger pie.
I guess it should be the time now to see how these were idealistic ideas or real commitments…
2010-01-27 18:23:44+0900
I think you miss one important point: Google is the default search engine in Debian not because of the Google/Mozilla deal, but because most users perceive it to be the *best* search engine.
Hum, I very much know why Google is the default search engine in Debian’s Iceweasel, as being co-maintainer, and the sole reason is that there has been no incentive yet to change the default offered by upstream Firefox, which is because of the Google/Mozilla deal.
2010-01-27 19:50:41+0900
Ubuntu users can switch their default search engine back to Google in two clicks, and for every user who does so, Firefox will get search royalties from Google. For every user who does not do so, Ubuntu will get search royalties from Yahoo.
If Debian wants in, I suppose they could put out a request for bidding on who gets to be the default search engine for Iceweasel, but they probably won’t get much attention because there just aren’t a huge number of Debian desktop users as compared to Ubuntu.
2010-01-27 20:52:18+0900
Me was hoping for Chromium to become default in ubuntu, now I don’t see how this will happen…. Still the chromium daily and beta channel ppa have a lot of users.
2010-01-29 00:58:33+0900
Hey Mike,
I’m a little confused about your Geolocation/Safe browsing comment. I use safe browsing in Webconverger, which has nothing do with Google services.
I use Geolocation from my phone for weather and what not. Again nothing to do with Google services. http://geo.webvm.net/
Tbh if anyone gave me money to switch to a different search engine I would probably take it. ;) Though, I’ve got to feel sorry for Mozilla. I was under the impression they are basically dependent on Google money. If Ubuntu tweaks this, then it will be harder for Google to justify money spent on the Mozilla foundation. Oh hell, they have their own browser which is pretty darn good. Google this, Google that… it’s like they are monopolising everything.
Next Google will have their own operating system to rival Ubuntu. ha ha ha… can’t be…
2010-01-29 17:19:37+0900
Kai: Go to the about:config url in your iceweasel/firefox, and search for safebrowsing and geolocation. Look at the urls corresponding to the “provider” preferences.
2012-02-08 14:49:19+0900
seo danışmanı…
[…]glandium.org » Blog Archive » Ubuntu switches default search engine. Will Google react ?[…]…
2013-03-14 16:41:10+0900
I have to say that for the past few of hours i have been hooked by the impressive articles on this site. Keep up the good work.