Yahoo! Is Secretly Planning For Apple To Dump Google As Its Default Search Engine
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer is reportedly working on a plan to convince Apple to change the default iOS search engine from Google to a new Yahoo solution, which could deal a significant blow to Google's ad income.
By Sadho Ram — 17 Apr 2014, 05:04 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Marissa Mayer Is Trying To Convince Apple To Drop Google Search And Make Yahoo Search The Default Search Engine On iOS In Safari, Reports Re/code
Mayer and Yahoo mobile chief Adam Cahan are reportedly spearheading the effort to make Yahoo search the first option on Apple's Safari browser, pitching the company on a mobile search engine that Yahoo reportedly has in the works.
cnet.comWhile Yahoo! Has Yet To Make The Presentation, Mayer Has Already Made The Idea Known To One Of The Most Powerful Executives At Apple: Design Chief Jony Ive
Mayer along with Yahoo’s SVP of mobile Adam Cahan are working on two internal projects codenamed “Fast Break” and “Curveball”, which are essentially a part of Yahoo’s redesign of the mobile search engine. Mayer is also said to be preparing to pitch these projects to Apple.
bgr.in
Mayer is also said to be preparing to pitch these projects to Apple. That has not happened as yet officially — it’s just the big honking goal of the Yahoo effort, said sources. Still, several said Mayer has already buttonholed a few Apple executives on the topic, including its powerful SVP of design Jony Ive, who knows the former Google exec well.
recode.net
"This is the aim of the whole effort here, to grab the pole position in iOS search," said one source who is reportedly working on the project. "It will take more than pretty pictures though to convince Apple to give up Google, given its focus on consumer experience being top-notch. But Marissa wants it very badly."
appleinsider.com
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, right, and Tumblr Chief Executive David Karp pose for photographs after a news conference Monday, May 20, 2013, in New York.
Image via mshcdn.comIf Successful, The Arrangement Would Prove A Coup For Yahoo And Drastically Change The Company's Share Of The Search Market, Particularly In The Rapidly Growing Mobile Segment
Mobile search is not only growing, it is moving away from desktop. If Yahoo were able to convince Apple to use its mobile search, it would grow its declining search share to the detriment of desktop competitors.
mashable.com
Mobile search is a particularly important area for Yahoo, as its desktop search is handcuffed by a deal with Microsoft that predates Mayer's time at the company. Yahoo's desktop search is powered by Microsoft's Bing, a deal that provides Yahoo with revenue but has reportedly been disappointing to Mayer. The deal is scheduled to run through 2019.
Currently, Google Is Set As The Default Search On Apple’s Mobile Devices, But You Can Change It To Either Yahoo or Bing By Adjusting Certain Settings
Google search has for quite some time been the default search engine in iOS and powers Safari, while Microsoft's Bing now drives Siri. Apple's decision to stick with Google's services is in part due to a familiar user experience. Google also pays Apple some $1 billion per year for traffic driven to its servers and subsequent ad network.
venturebeat.com
Yahoo, on the other hand, has a good relationship with Apple and already powers the latter’s Stock and Weather apps. Mayer is said to be planning on using this relationship to pitch its idea to Apple.
bgr.in
As Noted By Re/code, Yahoo Has In The Past Attempted To Build Out Its Search Engine And Ad Technology Offerings, But Those Swings Have Largely Missed
Mayer said last year that Yahoo launched more than 100 search experiments “to refine and enhance the search experience for users and advertisers,” according to Search Engine Land.
recode.net
Currently, Yahoo and Microsoft are in a 10 year search and advertising partnership but that does not include mobile devices. Mayer is trying to use that loophole, while Apple and Google’s contract extends only till the next year. Though it seems like an ideal opportunity, the publication notes that it is too early for Mayer to make any moves, and this plan is rather a part of a long term association with Apple.
bgr.in