Mozilla drops Google in favor of a multiple-search-partner plan

Mozilla has announced that it is not renewing the longstanding arrangement with Google that made Google the default search engine in Firefox in exchange for a sizable payment. Instead, when the current deal ends, Firefox will adopt different default search engines in different regions, a move described as a "more local and flexible approach to increase choice and innovation on the Web." Yahoo will be the default search engine in the United States, Yandex in Russia, and Baidu in China.

Mozilla CEO Chris Beard frames this change in terms of Mozilla's independence and non-commercial status. "This is why our independence matters. Being non-profit lets us make different choices. Choices that keep the Web open, everywhere and independent." The Yahoo deal, at least, lasts for five years, and one of the conditions was that Yahoo will support Mozilla's Do Not Track header. Google will remain a pre-installed search engine option, and will continue to provide Firefox's Safe Browsing and Geolocation features.