Firefox is a web browser and Google in this case is the default search engine for some locales as other locales have different default search engines.

Google has no longer been the global default search engine ever since November 2014. This is when Yahoo and some other search engines became the new defaults depending on locale as Mozilla was trying to get more away from Google.

https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/11/19/promoting-choice-and-innovation-on-the-web/

As of Firefox 57.0 and later any locales of Firefox that had Yahoo as the search engine default was changed back to Google as the default ...reluctantly and Yahoo was completely removed from Fx 59.0 and on. https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/11/14/firefox-features-google-as-default-search-provider-in-the-u-s-canada-hong-kong-and-taiwan/

Some of the known reasons for the change is in https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/12/05/mozilla-files-cross-complaint-against-yahoo-holdings-and-oath/ and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712925

You can change to another search engine and remove Google if you want.

Since you did not say what device you are using Firefox on and posted this thread in the Firefox for iOS section as I moved this thread to Android Firefox section since you appear to have Android Firefox.

Android Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/manage-my-default-search-engines-firefox-android Desktop Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox

btw there are no bots or automated repliers here as this is a community forum.

DRAGONFLY1946 said

I was assuming "drop us a line" means you at firefox quantum actually care. Now it looks as if you are just like the rest of the greedy Corporations vying for the dollar! It sure sounded you were going to answer the questions we had. Instead, it looks like computer generated crap!! You keep saying you are different, profe it!!!

Hmm, I don't know who you wrote to, but it could be a one-way "feedback" mailbox and not manned by a person answering questions or holding conversations. You are in the right place to get support now, at this forum.

Hopefully James' exhaustive reply answered your question about Mozilla's relationship with Google.

There are several search engines available through Firefox's address bar when you first install it. If you want to try one that's more privacy-oriented, you could see whether DuckDuckGo works for you. It's one of the icons when you use a search bar in Firefox.

If you want to try another one, check out https://www.startpage.com/ . You can add a Startpage icon to the collection using the link below the search box on their page that says Add to Firefox.

Hope you can find one that fits your needs!

I want to thank all of you for your time. I appreciate your input so much that I have another question.

Do you recommend these browsers over google? Do they have fewer adds and pop-ups?

Thank you, Don

[ed. removed email, minor formatting]

James said

Firefox is a web browser and Google in this case is the default search engine for some locales as other locales have different default search engines. Google has no longer been the global default search engine ever since November 2014. This is when Yahoo and some other search engines became the new defaults depending on locale as Mozilla was trying to get more away from Google. https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2014/11/19/promoting-choice-and-innovation-on-the-web/ As of Firefox 57.0 and later any locales of Firefox that had Yahoo as the search engine default was changed back to Google as the default ...reluctantly and Yahoo was completely removed from Fx 59.0 and on. https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/11/14/firefox-features-google-as-default-search-provider-in-the-u-s-canada-hong-kong-and-taiwan/ Some of the known reasons for the change is in https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2017/12/05/mozilla-files-cross-complaint-against-yahoo-holdings-and-oath/ and https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/forums/contributors/712925 You can change to another search engine and remove Google if you want. Since you did not say what device you are using Firefox on and posted this thread in the Firefox for iOS section as I moved this thread to Android Firefox section since you appear to have Android Firefox. Android Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/manage-my-default-search-engines-firefox-android Desktop Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox btw there are no bots or automated repliers here as this is a community forum.

DRAGONFLY1946 said

Do you recommend these browsers over google? Do they have fewer adds and pop-ups?

Hi Don, let's use the word "search engine" for websites that give search results, and "browser" for the software you install on your device to access the web.

DuckDuckGo and Startpage are search engines. Chrome and Firefox are browsers.

I personally use the Google search engine in Firefox. I generally don't log in to my Google account when searching. There are no pop-ups when I search.

Hello again, Thank you for DuckDuckGo. This has been an hour and I love it. May the force be with you. Don hippydon@aol.com