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Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Tue, 2 May 2006 11:53:15 -0400
Begin forwarded message: From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com> Date: May 2, 2006 11:49:43 AM EDT To: dave () farber net Cc: lauren () vortex com Subject: Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy Dave, As is now being widely reported, concerns have been raised (in particular by Google) regarding the manner in which Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 7 will assign default search engine capabilities. Apparently in the vast majority of cases, IE 7 installations will choose Microsoft's own MSN Search as the default engine for the main IE 7 toolbar search box. While IE has seen a falling market share, it still accounts for around 85% of browser users. While this serach engine selection can be changed (via a multiple step process), we know historically that very many people will tend to use installed defaults -- this sort of issue was in fact central to Microsoft's recent antitrust problems. Some observers have suggested an irony in this situation given Google's dominant (~50%) position among search engines, and since the Firefox browser includes a similar search box that defaults to Google. However, browser usage percentages really do matter. All IE competitors combined account for only 15% of users, and browsers are the gateway to most Internet services for the vast majority of people. The ability of dominant browser search defaults to rapidly distort and undermine competition in this area is serious, and that negative impact will be felt by *all* players (other than Microsoft in this case, of course). So this really isn't just a Google issue. All firms providing search services are at risk from this Microsoft move, and efforts should be made immediately to neutralize potential anticompetitive distortions. Luckily, there's a relatively simple way to solve this problem. Instead of assigning a default search engine at installation time, browser installation procedures should offer each user a list of search engines (plus an "other choice" mechanism) from which to choose. The order of search engines on this list would be individually randomized for presentation to each user. Once this choice has been made, it would persist between upgrades of the browser. Also, it should require no more than one click to again access that list to change search engine choices, and a link to that capability (e.g., the text "Change" in a small font) should be present at all times in the immediate vicinity of the search box. I urge Microsoft (and regulators, if necessary) to consider this approach. I would also suggest that Mozilla (Firefox) and other browser developers move in a similar direction. Fundamental fairness demands no less. --Lauren-- Lauren Weinstein lauren () vortex com or lauren () pfir org Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 http://www.pfir.org/lauren Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org Co-Founder, IOIC - International Open Internet Coalition - http://www.ioic.net Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com DayThink: http://daythink.vortex.com ------------------------------------- You are subscribed as lists-ip () insecure org To manage your subscription, go to http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/
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- Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy David Farber (May 02)