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Topic: Browser

Microsoft's Bing launches better Firefox integration amid Google-Mozilla renewal talk

Summary: This Firefox with Bing comes just a few weeks before Mozilla's search deal with Google is set to expire.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Mozilla wants to diversify its search revenue base from Google. Microsoft's Bing wants more market share. Enter some integration that may move the needle for both parties.

In a short blog post, Microsoft said it worked with Mozilla to launch Firefox with Bing. In a nutshell, this version of Firefox has the default settings for Bing and the user won't have to change anything to use Microsoft's search engine.

Will this effort move the needle for Mozilla and Microsoft goals? It's unclear, but Firefox with Bing certainly can't hurt.

Keep in mind this Firefox with Bing comes just a few weeks before Mozilla's search deal with Google is set to expire. Hmm.

Mozilla generated $21.7 million in 2010, down from $26.5 million in 2009. Total revenue and support for 2010 was $123.2 million, up from $104.3 million, according to its annual report. Most of that revenue derived from search deals.

In an FAQ, Mozilla noted that “we have every confidence that search partnerships will remain a solid generator of revenue for Mozilla for the foreseeable future.” Mozilla also touted search deals with Bing, Yahoo, Yandex, Amazon, Ebay and others, but the reality is most users go with Google. Microsoft's Bing with Firefox partnership aims to shift that equation a bit.

Related: Mozilla bets on fundraising to diversify Google revenue

Topics: Browser, Microsoft

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7 comments
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  • RE: Microsoft's Bing launches better Firefox integration amid Google-Mozilla renewal talk

    It smacks more of desperation than any sense of history.

    FF has been on the slide for a while, and this won't help them any. It may help Bing a bit - but most Bing-lovers who have the savvy to leave IE would have the savvy to change the SE anyway, so it's a small game.

    But take a wider view, and the only conclusion is that FF has jumped the shark.
    Heenan73
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft's Bing launches better Firefox integration amid Google-Mozilla renewal talk

      @Heenan73
      I disagree. Allot of Firefox users may have never tried Bing. They may land there for the first time and end up liking it. I think this may be a substantial boost to Bing. I agree that it wont help Firefox much unless MS is giving them a better deal on the rev-share.
      sharkboyjohn
      Reply Vote

  • that is a sleazy M$ tactic

    to trick unsuspected people into using M$ inferior products.
    The Linux Geek
    Reply Vote

  • LOL

    Microsoft surely knows how to waste money. Take a look at the big picture. IE users collectively outnumber the Firefox users, yet Google is used for over 90% of all searches worldwide. Yahoo and Bing split most of what's left. What this shows is that most IE users are consciously electing to use Google over Bing, even when Bing is being offered as the primary option in IE on new machines. If IE users can be so aware of the search engine they're using, why would you expect Firefox users, who tend to be far more web savvy, to leave the browser homepage and search bar set to Bing?

    And this brings me to the next problem that Microsoft will face. In Firefox, there is no real default search option in the search bar. Firefox remembers the last search engine you used and will keep that option selected even after closing and restarting the browser. So if, for example, you selected Wikipedia search the last time you used the search bar, then Wikipedia will remain in the search box indefinitely until you decide someday to use something else. Therefore, [i]all that's required of a user to get Google back in the box is to simply select 'Google' in the drop-down menu and the search box will remain set to Google until the user decides to use another search option.[/i]
    eMJayy
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft's Bing launches better Firefox integration amid Google-Mozilla renewal talk

    Good deal, Bing is a lot user friendly then Google (which I used for about 10 years before) at any rate so I can only welcome this.
    DJK2
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft's Bing launches better Firefox integration amid Google-Mozilla renewal talk

    Maybe the relationship with Microsoft leads to Microsoft tapping Mozilla for talent in the future as they keep IE relevant, or direct their attention to supporting Firefox and using the PR to keep themselves browser relevant.
    madbohem
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft's Bing launches better Firefox integration amid Google-Mozilla renewal talk

    I just maid a big mistake by upgrading my Firefox . I used Firefox because it kept me away from MSN and Bing . Bing is the most annoying browser the could be at least for what I need. Guess I'll have to find a new browser. I personally do not want micro soft changing thins in my computer ever again. I was using Netscape as a default ,came home to explore and email changed when I called them they said Netscape had done it . I don't think so.
    Dashadow007
    Reply Vote
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