Mozilla will replace the default search engine for some Firefox users

Firefox 98 will be released in early March 2022 and will include a change that replaces the browser’s default search engine with an automatic one for some users.

Firefox comes with several search engines based on the region of the user. The default search engine is the one automatically used when the user types in the address bar or uses other means to search, for example, from the browser’s New Tab page.

In most regions, Google search is the default, but in some, other search engines like Baidu or Yandex are the default. Firefox users can add search engines to the browser and change the default search engine. If you prefer to use DuckduckGo, Startpage, or Brave Search, you can if your browser supports it.

An article on Mozilla’s support website confirms that the default search engine may change for some Firefox users with the release of Firefox 98.

The support article is vague when it comes to details. It does not mention search engines by name or provide any other details.

According to Mozilla, the change is necessary because “it was unable to obtain formal permission to continue including search engines in Firefox.” Mozilla “provided an opportunity for previously listed search engines to sign an agreement” and some search engine companies “did not complete the agreement,” according to the article.

The nature of the agreement is unknown. It is not clear if it included financial compensation or other requirements. Bugzilla’s bug list is set to private.

Firefox ships with a number of search engines, many of which are local search engines that are available in addition to global ones, others are search engines for commercial sites. It appears that only these search engines are affected, but there is no confirmation of this at this time.

Firefox users who are affected by the default search engine change are informed about this when the browser starts.

Your default search engine has been changed. Firefox no longer supports NAME. Google is now your default search engine.

Firefox users can add the removed search engine back to the browser again after removal; this is a strong point in favor of the theory that the removal affects only embedded search engines, as Mozilla probably wouldn’t allow it otherwise.

closing words

The support page lacks information and there is a possibility that only a small subset of users will be affected by the change. Mozilla is shooting itself by omitting important information from the article. Would it be that difficult to list the affected search engines or provide a brief explanation of the agreement the search engine companies had to sign?

This lack of communication happens frequently. It is often a tempest in a teapot that could have been avoided entirely if the communication had been clearer.

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