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How to Change Web Search Engine Preference in Web Browser, or iPhone/iPad
Reader James G writes:
Phone did the auto update to iOS 14.1 last night. It switched my Safari search engine from DuckDuckGo to Google. *********. I wonder if Apple and Google have a financial relationship. Back to DuckDuckGo now, but I wonder how many of my other privacy related settings they undid.
A recent WSJ article stated that Google pays to Apple an estimated $8 billion to $12 billion per year to make Google the default seach engine on macOS and iOS (“traffic-acquisition costs”). Heck, I’d do it for half that.
The choice of search engine can have a huge impact on search results you see, particularly for controversial topics or those the big seach giants want you to not see. This is easily seen by searching with different search engines.
Here’s where to try a different search engine. What I’d like to see Apple do is to offer an option to search with multiple engines, and give me an intermixed listing from all, for a more balanced view of the world*.
* I cannot blame Apple for skipping past that idea given the gargantuan payoff—any CEO who gave away that kind of money would and should be fired ASAP. But... next time Apple spouts-off about your privacy and working hard for you—remember that it’s all about the money.
