There was a recent report that Samsung, a leading smartphone maker worldwide won’t replace Google with Bing as the default search engine on its in-house internet browser, contrary to their earlier contemplation. Samsung Internet Browser, which comes pre-installed on Samsung phones, has always used Google as its default search engine. The New York Times reported recently that Google employees were “shocked” to learn that Samsung had been considering switching to Bing since this could jeopardize the $3 billion in yearly profits the search giant gets out of the deal.
However, Samsung has backed down from the idea of replacing Google with Bing after a review of the plans. One reason for the reconsideration was the potential impact on its relationship with Google and the negative perception it could create in the market. Although Samsung considered the switch would not disrupt its services much since most Samsung smartphone users usually do not use the in-house browser, the company is stepping back and reconsidering this decision due to the possible ripple effect it could generate.
This latest development does not imply that Samsung may never make the switch to Bing or any other search engine in the near future. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Samsung hasn’t completely shut the door on using Bing as its default search engine. They are merely stepping back from the decision at present to evaluate the implications better.
Having a default search engine as part of a smartphone package can generate huge profits for search engines, so it does not come as a surprise that Google was worried about its share of the pie if Samsung chose to move to another search engine. These concerns stem in part from the fact that Samsung is one of the largest smartphone manufacturers worldwide, with a significant market share, especially with its Android-based phones. However, the company’s decision to stay with Google as their default search engine has calmed nerves a bit in the search engine market.
Samsung’s in-house browser has been the default for Samsung smartphone users, and many haven’t needed to install any other web browsers since it’s fast, efficient, and has Google as its search engine. Many people don’t switch to other browsers since the search engine results on Google are usually on point. Google has offered its search engine services to Samsung devices for many years and offering the search engine as a default option in Samsung’s browser has only added more profits for the search giant.
Many speculated that Samsung was considering the switch because other companies, including Microsoft, have also expressed similar interest in partnerships with Samsung. These reports are still speculative since Samsung hasn’t commented on any discussions regarding any future collaborations with Microsoft.
In conclusion, the smartphone market in recent years has become highly competitive, and smartphone manufacturers are continuously trying to find ways to add value to their products. While search engines like Google and Bing make profits from search results, smartphone manufacturers can take advantage of this by offering their browsers’ default search engine. Samsung’s recent contemplation to switch to Bing shows how valuable such a partnership can be. However, Samsung’s decision to stick with Google shows how important it is for companies to consider the potential ripple effect such a change can have on various markets and their reputation.
