Yahoo partners with Mozilla to become default search engine on Firefox browser

Yahoo is replacing Google as the default search engine for the Mozilla Firefox web browser on mobile and desktop in the United States, the company has announced.

The switchover will take place in the US in December, putting an end to a decade-old partnership between Google and the Mozilla Foundation.

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer did not say whether the deal would extend to Mozilla users in Europe. However, the company said it "provides a framework for exploring future product integrations and distribution opportunities to other markets".

As part of the five-year partnership, Yahoo will introduce an "enhanced search experience" for US Firefox users, featuring a clean, modern and immersive design. This will be rolled out to all Yahoo users in early 2015.

"Mozilla is an inspirational industry leader who puts users first and focuses on building forward-leaning, compelling experiences," said Ms Mayer.

"This partnership helps to expand our reach in search and also gives us an opportunity to work closely with Mozilla to find ways to innovate more broadly in search, communications, and digital content."

Google has been Firefox's default global search engine since 2004 but the relationship has been strained since Google's Chrome browser stole significant market share.

It has previously been reported that Google paid Mozilla £300 million a year to be the default search engine – almost 90 per cent of the browser's annual revenues.

Yahoo currently accounts for 10 per cent of US search marketplace, compared to 67 per cent for Google and 19 per cent for Microsoft Bing, according to research firm comScore.

[Source]