DuckDuckGo Is Now a Default Search Engine Option on Android in the EU (searchenginejournal.com)

Article summary

DuckDuckGo will be offered as a default search engine option on Android devices in the EU, following a ruling that Google's practice of setting itself as the default search provider was illegal under EU antitrust rules. This change is expected to roll out in March 2020. Users will be presented with a choice of default search engines, including DuckDuckGo, during device setup. The impact of this change on search engine market share in the EU is uncertain.

Main themes

• search engine market share
• EU antitrust rules
• default search engine options
• Android devices
• online privacy

What commenters say

• Some commenters believe that DuckDuckGo's search results are not as good as Google's, which may limit its appeal to users.
• Others argue that DuckDuckGo's unique features, such as its bangs, make it a viable alternative to Google.
• The use of verbified brand names, such as 'google it', is seen as a barrier to adopting alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo.
• There is disagreement over whether Google's search results are truly better than those of other search engines, such as Bing or Yandex.
• Some commenters think that the ability to choose a default search engine will have little impact on user behavior, as most people will stick with the default option.
• Others believe that this change will promote competition and innovation in the search engine market.
• The issue of censorship and bias in search results is also raised, with some commenters noting that different search engines may prioritize or filter certain types of content differently.