Snippet from BetaNews.
Google has raised objections over Microsoft’s plans to integrate its new search engine into Internet Explorer 7, press reports indicate. The company’s concerns have even led Google to speak with the Justice Department and the European Commission.
Much like Firefox does with Google, the new version of Internet Explorer will be set up by default to send search queries to MSN Search. Google contends that this gives Microsoft an unfair advantage over its competitors.
However, questions have arisen as to whether Google has firm ground to stand on when making these claims. The company holds a commanding — and growing — lead in the search market, and is the default search engine for every major browser besides IE, including Safari, Opera and Firefox.
Additionally, according to Nielsen//Net Ratings, MSN handles only 11 percent of all Web searches, compared with Google’s 49 percent share.
These embedded search boxes are quite valuable; up to half of users’ searches start from them, Google”s statistics claim. Additionally, Google relies on advertising revenues shown to these users, another reason why the Mountain View, Calif., search giant is raising objections.
Personally, I think Google should be afraid of IE7. I have tried it and it has some pretty niffty features — enough to make users stick to IE. So unless, Google — together with Firefox, comes up with something, Internet Explorer will still make up more than 50% of the browser market share.
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