Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default Controversy

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

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




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