Safari Search to use Yahoo instead of Google?

[MacRumors]

According to one report, Yahoo is presently in negotiations with Apple to replace the Google-driven Search box in Apple's Web Browser (Safari) with one powered by Yahoo's search engine.

Apple's web browser offers a built in search box in the top right corner window which allows users to quickly search the web. Since Safari's introduction, the search box has used Google's popular search engine to provide results.

Google's prominent placement is presumably provided for convenience rather than any specific financial deal between the two companies.

[Savage Henry]

Over my, and several other peoples, dead body.:mad:


I'm hoping that's a healthy 5lb pile of guff.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Macrumors
According to one report, Yahoo is presently in negotiations with Apple to replace the Google-driven Search box in Apple's Web Browser (Safari) with one powered by Yahoo's search engine.

... Apple should have which search engine to use as a preferences item. At least of the ones that can be used from the web browser that way.

[edesignuk]

I hope they don't change it. Google is the best search engine period, it should stay.

[phonic pol]

Bad move in my opionion. Google is the best search engine I've come across.

[Finiksa]

There is no way in hell I'd use a Yahoo search box.

Well, not until I figure out a hack to change it back to Google.

[KLFloyd]

I too prefer Google over Yahoo any day of the week. Having that little Google bar up there is one of my favorite features of Safari.

I hope Apple keeps things the way they are. However, i see no problem with allowing the user to choose which search they'd rather use in Preferences.

[DigiHal]

Don't fookin' do it!!!!

[stefman]

I hope not!! And if something has to happen, can they leave us the choice between Google and Yahoo!

[iindigo]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Google r0x0rz your s0x!!! But Yahoo on the other hand....

[Stella]

the choice of search engine to use should be down to the user, and not to the company that offers Apple the most money.

[akb]

Firefox handles the search box brilliantly.

Google is the default search engine, but it's as simple as visiting the extensions site to add more. You can even add eBay, Dictionary.com, Amazon, IMDB etc. to the options.

Safari could follow that lead, with Yahoo as the default if needs (and contractual obligations) be.

[orb]

I'd rather have a choice of search providers. If I can't have choice, I'll take google. (which is my current choice) If I can't have google, I'll take another web browser.

Thanks apple

[j33pd0g]

No way Jose! I will forever use version 1.2 of Safari. I made my back up right now. Apple will really have to add some amazing features into Safari to make me change my mind.

[squirrellydw]

NOOOOOO

[floatingspirit]

Originally posted by KLFloyd
I too prefer Google over Yahoo any day of the week. Having that little Google bar up there is one of my favorite features of Safari.

I hope Apple keeps things the way they are. However, i see no problem with allowing the user to choose which search they'd rather use in Preferences.

Same here. Having commercial/product alliances decided in advance for consumers sounds a bit Microsofty to me...

[TylerL]

In the current release of Safari, the search field could be changed to another engine by editing the Safari binary.
I'm sure if this deal takes place, you'll find a convenient little 3rd party patch on VersionTracker within hours.

[johnnyjibbs]

Originally posted by TylerL
In the current release of Safari, the search field could be changed to another engine by editing the Safari binary.
I'm sure if this deal takes place, you'll find a convenient little 3rd party patch on VersionTracker within hours.
I heard something about that but never changed it because I thought that Google was the best.

But I agree that choice is good. Have Google as the default and put a selectoin in the preferences.

[yoman]

Even if Apple changes the search box to Yahoo. we could all always go to Google.com and do our search. It adds one extra step, a small hassle. I'd most likely book mark it and hot key it.

I agree with the previous posters that it should be an option in the preferences panel. However, it is Apple's choice and if the money is good they might well consider it.

[Wonder Boy]

isn't google in kahoots with M$? i thought i read that somewhere. if this is true, maybe this has something to do witht the possible switch.

[Henriok]

If this is true Yahoo must pay BIG BUCKS to Apple for degrating the functionality in their browser. If they do it, the roar from Mac users everyware will be loud indeed and I don't think it'll take long before someone figures out how to hack the google-bar back.

[numediaman]

All we are talking about here is a product placement (just like the movies). Yahoo pays Apple to place its search box within the browser. Who cares what they put in there?

I just started using Safari last week (great, by the way -- and it'll get better). The first thing I did was eliminate almost all the bookmarks and features I didn't want and replace them with my own stuff. No problem!

By the way, now that I use Safari I can definitely judge the quality of certain web sites better -- and I have to tell you that the Apple site really sucks!! The support and discussions areas are is a mess -- slow to load and inconsistent. Come on Apple, what are you doing?

[eyeluvmyimac]

Originally posted by j33pd0g
No way Jose! I will forever use version 1.2 of Safari. I made my back up right now. Apple will really have to add some amazing features into Safari to make me change my mind.

Ditto. Google is, as you all said the best search engine around and I have NO plans to switch to anything else, especially yahoo. BAD MOVE on Apple's part (assuming this is true).
Safari v1.2 -- I will always love you.

Has anyone checked Dave Hyatts weblog to see what he says about it?

[eSnow]

one of my pet peeves with Safari is its completely braindead preferences. I want an option to disallow the browser to play mp3s from websites - ever. They are a major distraction and pain in the ass.

Along the same lines it is just retarded to not offer a choice of search engines.

[zach]

This would push me over the edge, and I would go to FireFox instantly. Safari is buggy enough as it is, and they want to remove my favorite feature?

No thanks...

[littlejim]

I'll be chaning browser if this goes ahead. Why the hell should Apple join forces with a company that offers no support for Mac's?

My ISP (BT - British Telecom) has joined forces with Yahoo to create 'BT Yahoo' and it's been a disaster. Hundreds of people are fleeing the service (including me).

[ITR 81]

GIVE US BOTH! We need choices.

[awulf]

Yahoo gets their search results from Google (most of them anyway), but their interface is a bit bloated.

I think apple should use my scrappy little search engine instead :D .

[Kingsnapped]

Awulf: Not anymore. Yahoo made itself independant of Google's search engine... or something..

They're just not the same anymore.

I really miss Opera's ability to search right in the address bar. If you typed "g bacon" there would be a google search for bacon "e bacon" ebay "y bacon" yahoo, etc. It was nice to have the choice. I really wish Opera made a good browser for Mac, it's one of the very few things I miss from my windows days... ::sniff::

[johnnyjibbs]

I guess Jaguar users won't be complaining about the next Safari upgrade being Panther-only :p

As far as I know, Google is not anything to do with Microsoft but rather in competition also. Microsoft is putting all its money behind MSN search.

[ionas]

hi all u monkey
1. google sux
2. yahoo aint better nor wose, but just smaller nowadays, while google is a MONOPOLY.
3. ppl will make hacks for safari so that you can chose google again
4. firefox supports over 900 search engines - this here is a monkey zoo. :p

[deepkid]

Originally posted by eSnow
one of my pet peeves with Safari is its completely braindead preferences. I want an option to disallow the browser to play mp3s from websites - ever. They are a major distraction and pain in the ass.

Along the same lines it is just retarded to not offer a choice of search engines.

This is definitely more important than the default search technology in Safari. It is completely annoying trying to handle media files.

Don't get me started about those damn non-working plugins from Real, etc.

[paulypants]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ionas]

Originally posted by ITR 81
GIVE US BOTH! We need choices.

...single user with brain detected,
...caps detected
...caps equal stupidity
...0 / 0 - FAULT - DEVISION by ZERO.
...aborting sequence...

[tkn]

I initially edited my binary per macosxhints to add keyword functionality similar to camino. Now I just use Sogudi which survives system updates better:

http://www.atamadison.com/w/kitzkikz.php?page=Sogudi

It doesn't pick up the search every time, but almost all of the time, so it is good enough.

[macphisto]

If Apple switched I would DEFINATELY turn off the "Yahoo" search bar at the top and resign myself to opening a new tab and typing google.com (http://www.google.com).

Stick with Google Apple!

PS-Where are the hardware updates!?!?!

[k2k koos]

PLS PLS PLS, KEEP GOOGLE!!!!! I DON'T LIKE YAHOO!

[gekko513]

You really are a bunch of whiners ...

[wdlove]

My hope is that they keep Google. I always used Google prior to using Safari. Having Google in the upper right corner makes it so easy to easy. If Apple does indeed get some financial deal out of it, then I would be willing to try Yahoo. Would still like to have the option in Preferences to change back to Google.

[Bunzi2k4]

*sigh* i used to use Yahoo, but then after safari, i've never used yahoo because of the search bar... that search bar is the best thing about safari. and now i have to go back to yahoo?!?!?!? NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[FriarTuck]

If this happens, just add the Google toolbar, like I've done on my XP machine at work. It' nice, and doesn't take up much space.

Besides, Yahoo is supposed to be sinking big $$ into upgrading their search.

[swissmann]

Is it possible to have the search box in Safari use both Google and Yahoo and whatever else at the same time? Maybe it could split the screen in display Google's results on one side and Yahoo's results on the other. I find myself using Google first and sometimes switching over to Yahoo because Google was unsuccessful. (Not often). I do think that both engines are useful though.

[Mudbug]

I think google should stay - but that's not the point of my post. I'd like to point out the proper use of some fine alliteration in the Page 2 post - "prominent placement is presumably provided"

kudos arn. ;)

[Spades]

The google toolbar is only for IE on Windows. And sinking lots of money into something doesn't gurantee quality. You get quality by having people that know what they're doing, and at Google they know what they're doing.

I like the way FireBi..FireFox works. You can select which search engine to use. Safari should do the same thing, instead of forcing people to use Yahoo.

About just opening a new tab and going to www.google.com, does the snapback feature still work if you do the search that way? Not that I ever use snapback, but if somebody does and it stops working with their favorite search engine I could understand how they would be upset.

Originally posted by FriarTuck
If this happens, just add the Google toolbar, like I've done on my XP machine at work. It' nice, and doesn't take up much space.

Besides, Yahoo is supposed to be sinking big $$ into upgrading their search.

[hulugu]

Originally posted by akb
Firefox handles the search box brilliantly.

Google is the default search engine, but it's as simple as visiting the extensions site to add more. You can even add eBay, Dictionary.com, Amazon, IMDB etc. to the options.

Safari could follow that lead, with Yahoo as the default if needs (and contractual obligations) be.

Ahh Firefox, I'm going to have to DL that sometime I keep hearing good things. If Apple must put someone besides Google in the search bar at least make a Preference Pane like the above so that the user gets [B]more[B/] choices. Yahoo can be like IE used to be, the default, but easy to change. But, I'd really prefer they love Google there.

[SpaceMagic]

Apple has to be kidding right? I'll be so dissappointed because at the moment there is not ONE feature i don't use on a regular basis and Yahoo search will spoil it.

Apple, Think Different... don't go in search of money with Yahoo... go in search of simplicity with Google.

[choogheem]

It has already been said, but I figure I need to put in my $0.02. Put in preferences which search engine you prefer, default being yahoo if they're gonna pay for it. I prefer google, but I like the idea of choice.

Those are my $0.02, well really I think that just amounted to $0.01, so if anyone wants a refund, please send a SASE to:
My 2 cents refund
5308 Chicago Ave So
Minneapolis, MN 55417

disclaimer - no actual money will be refunded to you, so don't send me anything! This is just a hoax - not for real. (sad that I'd have to do that because you know I'd probably get people sending me mail for 1 penny)

[BenRoethig]

I prefer google, I haven't had any problems with yahoo. If there is a deal, it better include a Yahoo messenger mode for iChat and more Mac compatibility within Yahoo.

[shooterlv]

Originally posted by Kingsnapped
If you typed "g bacon" there would be a google search for bacon "e bacon" ebay "y bacon" yahoo, etc. It was nice to have the choice. I really wish Opera made a good browser for Mac, it's one of the very few things I miss from my windows days... ::sniff::

You should try Camino... It has the ability to do the keyword search from the address bar. Bookmark a search, replace the search terms with %s in the address, and put in a keyword. when you type your keyword space search, it brings up a search for you. Now if Apple added this to safari I wouldn't care who gets the box at the top. It could be Booble.com:) for all i care.

[Photorun]

Actually a choice like in old Sherlock with different engines and relevance wouldn't be such a bad idea. But if it's one, definitely Google. Yahoo?! Ugh!

[dstorey]

I wonder if they know something we don't, what with all the talk of emm$ buying google and yahoo! sinking a billion $ and axing google to develop new search tech. I wonder if yahoo has came out with something good.

If this happens, I'd like there to be a choice a la opera to change the search with a drop down box to google, alltheweb, dmoz etc. Even if yshoo is no better, i'd put up if we can et yahoo! IM and webcam/audio chat in iChat, then i can didtch the aweful (and ugly) os x port of yahoo. most the people i know are on yahoo. It keepss disconecting though and cant get the web cam to work. Would be more of a reason to buy a iSight if iChat supports yahoo

[j_maddison]

I'm really sorry to disagree with people, but Google is crap, rubish, biased in its findings. I hardly ever use the thing. it never brings back any meaning full results, just stupid commercial sites all the time. and odly enough if i'm looking for a commercial site, it seldom brings back the one i want.

i have to say though im all for choice, and i'd much rather see an option to chose which search engine you want to use, maybe even the ability to add search engines.

Then again, if apple make money from a collaboration, it means they keep afloat for longer and we all win. so shush and worry about important things like powerbook updates and G5 across the whole range, and 3Ghz G5. goodness this is a trivial subject :p

[tny]

Originally posted by yoman
Even if Apple changes the search box to Yahoo. we could all always go to Google.com and do our search. It adds one extra step, a small hassle. I'd most likely book mark it and hot key it.

I agree with the previous posters that it should be an option in the preferences panel. However, it is Apple's choice and if the money is good they might well consider it.

I won't use Safari, I'll use Firefox as I do at work. It's configurable. I don't want to waste space in my browser for a "search engine" that doesn't give me what I want. What, is it Apple's job to prop Yahoo! up or something?

[nagromme]

There should be a CHOICE in the popup icon.

That choice should include Google AND all the stuff you have in your Sherlock plugins.

And one choice should be a "custom" set you define in Preferences: your favorite search engines (by default, all of them--but you can uncheck some)

[Savage Henry]

Originally posted by tny
I won't use Safari, I'll use Firefox as I do at work. It's configurable. I don't want to waste space in my browser for a "search engine" that doesn't give me what I want. What, is it Apple's job to prop Yahoo! up or something?

I'm on that bus. Sure if I really wanted to avoid the problem I could set Google as the homepage. But that's not the point.

Changing it to Yahoo is just not right!

[forjanek]

They should put vivisimo instead.
vivisimo.com (http://vivisimo.com)

[nagromme]

PS, some people are getting mad at Apple for something that is only a rumor... does that make sense? :)

[ipacmm]

Google is the best search engine.

[nargot]

PS, some people are getting mad at Apple for something that is only a rumor... does that make sense?

yep, and a page 2 one also :)

[yamabushi]

Choice, please. A drop down selection box would be fine.

[winmacguy]

Originally posted by Henriok
If this is true Yahoo must pay BIG BUCKS to Apple for degrating the functionality in their browser. If they do it, the roar from Mac users everyware will be loud indeed and I don't think it'll take long before someone figures out how to hack the google-bar back.

Maybe Yahoo is feeling a bit out done by Googles IPO, market valuation and fantastic success of late. All thanks to Googles design and running on Linux servers :)

[neilw]

I don't remember too many rumors that have ever had a higher percentage of negative votes than this one... pretty amazing.

I too have become very very accustomed to using Google (since before Safari), but I do want to try some other search engines which maybe do a better job at delivering *meaningful* results than Google. Clearly the best direction Apple could take would be to provide a choice, either in preferences or a little drop-down selector.

[kelly_hirano]

Originally posted by winmacguy
Maybe Yahoo is feeling a bit out done by Googles IPO, market valuation and fantastic success of late. All thanks to Googles design and running on Linux servers :)

you may argue that yahoo is doing a better job by running freebsd, which os x is based on.

i'm just wondering: everyone seems to love google, and that's great, but do people actually dislike yahoo!? has anyone out there tried their new search and found that it returns worse results than google's? or is this more of a pro-google thing than an anti-yahoo thing?

[Xapplimatic]

It will result in yet another online formal signature campaign to switch it back if they do it. Yahoo sucks.. They have all that gimmicky crapy plastic bloatware they try to install in Windows browsers. No thanks! Yahooey!

[isus]

yahoo sucks... go there and type "northblue". notice how some VERY old forum post (that i don't think you can even get to without being logged in) is first. now go to goole and type in northblue. notice how a blueberry company comes first.

i am second in both, although i was first in google about a week ago... the domain didn't even appear on yahoo a week ago... there were just a bunch of pages available on my site.

if apple goes to yahoo, im sure somebody would figure out a way to hack it (like fruitmenu, or any of the other 'haxies' from unsanity)

[The Dreaming]

I have to tell you that the Apple site really sucks!! The support and discussions areas are is a mess -- slow to load and inconsistent. Come on Apple, what are you doing?

I agree. On top of that, the Apple Store looks cluttered and haphazardly put together.

[1macker1]

Google never turns up useful information. Just some people selling *****. I wouldnt mind giving Yahoo a shot.

[Moonlight]

You guys do know that up untill acouple of weeks ago Yahoo used Google for it's searches...

[bellychris]

you have to remember safari is about speed and not being a bloated software. Google has the same theory about the web they have minimal image intensive ads

[macFanDave]

or is Google just starting to suck?

At first, Google seemed to magically gravitate to the info I wanted within the first few hits, but lately, I feel like I have to go through page after page to find a useful result. I used to think something like Grokster was useless, but now I can see that Google probably needs some help.

And even though I live in America, I'm noticing an awful lot of British sites taking the top spots. (No offense (or offence, if you will) -- I really don't have anything against the Brits, but I don't have any pounds and I think shipping costs would make shopping there prohibitive.) It seems to me that the community of web developers in the UK have taken the info in "Google Hacks" and similar titles to heart and have begun to re-establish the Empire in cyberspace!

[wordmunger]

I just tried the new Yahoo search feature, and I have to say it ain't half bad--in fact it looked to me like it was returning more relevant results than Google. Give it a shot before you condemn it. Google is cool, but so many people hack it that in some cases its results are quite biased. For example, try typing "french military victories" in Google and then clicking on "I'm feeling lucky." (Of course this page comes up first in Yahoo! as well. Oh well. It's still kinda funny).

[SiliconAddict]

Best engine....evAR!

WtH is Apple thinking?!?!? Oh I forgot: Think Different. Even if it is a stupid thought.

[SiliconAddict]

Originally posted by macFanDave
or is Google just starting to suck?


Its just you. ;) :p

[j_maddison]

Originally posted by 1macker1
Google never turns up useful information. Just some people selling *****. I wouldnt mind giving Yahoo a shot.

Woo Hoo! :) yet another person who agrees that Google sucks! :D

odly enough i'm typing this on a firebird browser :p

jay

[Freakk123]

No. Way. In. Hell.
I'd switch to firebird... which would make me sad... NEVER!!!

[akb]

Originally posted by macFanDave
And even though I live in America, I'm noticing an awful lot of British sites taking the top spots. (No offense (or offence, if you will) -- I really don't have anything against the Brits, but I don't have any pounds and I think shipping costs would make shopping there prohibitive.) It seems to me that the community of web developers in the UK have taken the info in "Google Hacks" and similar titles to heart and have begun to re-establish the Empire in cyberspace!

Believe me, historically it's been a real pain the other way round, too. ;)

The trouble is, google.com works as an international site, rather than an American site. I think Google might be going a bit wrong there.

Google already has specific versions for many countries. Google UK (http://www.google.co.uk/), for example, has the option of searching just pages in the UK, which I (as a UK resident) find really useful. It isn't as basic as just searching for sites that have a .uk extension, (try searching within UK for 'cars' for instance, and you get virgincars.com in 4th - which is a UK site). So there is some intelligence used in working out what sites are from the UK.

Google Australia, France, Germany and probably most other Googles also offer this (the latter 2 also allowing you to search only in their language). Users of all these Googles don't lose out on international searches either, because the full Google database is used.

Essentially, there is no need for people in countries served by alternate Googles to visit google.com, so why doesn't google.com tailor itself to an American audience in the same way?

As it is, and as far as I'm aware, there is no American equivalent. I tried google.us, but it's just a bounce to google.com. I know that the .us extension isn't used too much, and that would make indexing difficult (though not impossible), but I can definitely see the lack of a specifically American version of Google becoming a real flaw...

[silvergunuk]

I think it's a bad idea of using yahoo instead of google. If they do, they should give you a choice which one to use as someone stated much earlier in the forum. If not google then maybe vivisimo as it's pretty good too.

[unfaded]

Uh, people...this is so obviously not true, I can't believe we're on page 4 of this thread already.

[Krizoitz]

Originally posted by choogheem
It has already been said, but I figure I need to put in my $0.02. Put in preferences which search engine you prefer, default being yahoo if they're gonna pay for it. I prefer google, but I like the idea of choice.

Those are my $0.02, well really I think that just amounted to $0.01, so if anyone wants a refund, please send a SASE to:
My 2 cents refund
5308 Chicago Ave So
Minneapolis, MN 55417

disclaimer - no actual money will be refunded to you, so don't send me anything! This is just a hoax - not for real. (sad that I'd have to do that because you know I'd probably get people sending me mail for 1 penny)

Not to mention that by sending a SASE they are using two stamps which cost $0.74. Of course someone might do it just so you have to pay them a penny.

[rdowns]

Just select "Report Bugs to Apple" under the Safari menu and tell them that Yahoo is a bug.

[Adurbe]

apple's deal with yahoo may not just be about cash, it is possible that in exchange for offering yahoo as a default search other yahoo services could be made compatible (their games for example) which will be a boost to the mac platform as a whole.

just as a final thing for you all to think about, maybe they could include yahoo messenger functionality in ichat through this deal. aol + yahoo... all they would need then is microso.... ok lets not be silly :p :p

[rdowns]

I beleive the rumor due to the heating up of the search engine wars. I think you'll be hearing a lot of these types of things.

From Direct Marketing News, a trade rag I get at work. (www.dmnews.com)

In a move that clearly sets the two companies as competitors, Yahoo yesterday began to switch from search results from Google to results using its own algorithmic search technologies.

Yahoo said it would roll out its search technology over the next several weeks on its own site and those contracted with subsidiary Overture's algorithmic search, including Microsoft's MSN. By using its own search technology, Yahoo hopes to differentiate its search experience from Google's. Yahoo spent about $2 billion to acquire an arsenal of search technologies in the past year, including Inktomi, AltaVista and FAST, in addition to paid listings provider Overture.

The widely expected switch from Google comes as Yahoo makes some headway cutting into Google's lead in search use. According to comScore Media Metrix, Google handled 35 percent of all searches in December compared with Yahoo's 27 percent, AOL's 16 percent and MSN's 15 percent. Two months earlier, Yahoo's search share was 26 percent compared with Google's 35 percent. The reach of Yahoo's search technology now will rival Google's, which handles search for AOL.

The switch ends a long relationship between the two companies. Google's corporate history notes that founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page began the company in 1998 with the encouragement of David Filo, a founder of Yahoo. In June 2000, Yahoo chose Google as its search provider to back up its directory listings.

Now Yahoo has its eyes firmly on Google as a rival.

"This is just further evidence that Yahoo is pulling out all the stops," said Fredrick Marckini, chief executive of Arlington, MA, search marketing firm iProspect. "I think they've raised the bar as far as what is the next level."

Yahoo executives estimate that each percentage point of search market share is worth $200 million to the company, making search a priority.

Last April, Yahoo overhauled its search to embed it throughout the site and add personalization features. It remade its shopping section into a comparison-shopping search engine in September and added search to Yahoo News. The company said it would embed search in other areas like finance, music, travel and personals.

Yahoo said it also would integrate search with its My Yahoo feature to return links to Web pages using XML/RSS syndication, a content syndication technology used by many sites, including Web logs, to constantly update headlines and links.

The company also has featured its search technology in ad campaigns in an attempt to cut into Google's strong brand. Earlier this month, a BrandChannel.com survey tabbed Google as the top global brand for the second year in a row.

With Yahoo and Microsoft hot on its heels, Google is widely expected to file for an initial public offering that could net the company as much as $20 billion. Such a windfall would put Google on equal footing with its deep-pocketed rivals.

Google declined to comment specifically on Yahoo's move, but announced Tuesday that its search index added 1 billion more Web pages, bringing it to 4.3 billion. (Google's index also includes 880 million images, 845 million Usenet messages and an undisclosed number of scanned book pages.) Yahoo did not reveal the size of its index, but search experts said it crawled far fewer Web pages.

Matthew Berk, an independent search industry analyst, said a larger index did not necessarily mean better results.

"If you want to ask very specific questions, having a bigger index can sometimes overwhelm the results with things that are not appropriate," he said. "Folks like Yahoo and Google have to play the size game because they're taking on all comers."

Yahoo's move also could spur further interest in paid inclusion, in which advertisers pay to have Web pages crawled but results are based on relevance. Jupiter Research forecasts that the paid inclusion market could grow from a projected $110 million this year to $500 million in 2006, if Yahoo and MSN fully embrace it. If just Yahoo adopts it, Jupiter expects the market to reach $293 million.

Paid inclusion's proponents say it improves the relevancy of search results by providing updated information on Web pages deep in sites that might not be regularly crawled.

Google does not use paid inclusion; company representatives have said it would taint search results. Still, Kevin Lee, chief executive of search engine marketing firm Did-it.com, sees softening in Google's stand against outside inclusion. He notes that results from Froogle, Google's shopping search engine, already appear on many commercial results. Froogle results are based partly on Web pages submitted by marketers, although not paid for.

"They've acknowledged the fact that just because we got this data feed from a marketer doesn't mean it's garbage," Lee said.

Yahoo has devoted considerable resources to developing new search technologies, recently starting a search research unit to explore Web search breakthroughs using machine learning, data mining and efficient algorithms. Yahoo is not alone in targeting search. Microsoft has said it will develop its own algorithmic search technology in order to take on Google.

[geerlingguy]

Is Google down right now? I can't get it at all.

[rwclark]

Actually, Yahoo recently implemented their own search technology, and is starting to put tons of money into the technology side of things. Their new search is roughly comparable to, if not better than, Google's. For example, try searching for John Edwards, no quotes, and see which engine you think gives the most relevant results.

Read more here:

[in_my_head]

simple: if it isn't broke, don't fix it...........anything else?

[MacSlut]

Yahoo used to use Google for search results, but gave notice a long time ago when they purchased Inktomi. Yahoo had stopped using Google for search results on a growing basis (for different versions of Yahoo) for quite some time. They just recently announced they were clean of Google for all of Yahoo.

Google is not owned, nor has it ever been owned by Microsoft. Bill Gates is on record as saying he wants to kill Google and eat its children (or something like that).

The search field for Safari is not worth that much money. I used to do biz dev and have worked on such deals with pretty much all the major players. Yahoo may pay/barter for that search field, but it's not worth much.

I also think some people are confused about what the search results would be on Yahoo. The results are pretty close. You may have a preference, but it's not as big of a deal as people are making it out to be.

You guys do know about the Javascript Toolbar trick, right? Edit this into the URL for a toolbar bookmark...
javascript:void(q=prompt('Enter%20text%20to%20search%20using%20IMDB.com',''));if(q)void(location.hre f='http://www.IMDB.com/Title?'+escape(q))

It will pop up a search box for IMDB. You can do the same for pretty much any Website that has a search...eBay, Amazon, Google, Yahoo, Netflix, Dictionary, etc...

Don't want to futz with Javascript? Try Saft:
http://haoli.dnsalias.com/Saft/

Amongst other things, it allows you to do what Apple should've done in the first place...it allows you to have multiple searches assigned to the field. It gives you a drop down menu allowing you to choose the search you want.

If Apple wants to make some chump change with their browser, they should allow the functionality of different searches with the field, but then charge for the one that's the initial default.

[singletrack]

I'd agree entirely with the 'Google sucks' people.

For a long time Google has been poisoned by commercial sites who know how to press the right keyword buttons in Google's robot. It's next to useless to search for computer tech on Google now as you just get a load of price comparison sites and online shops.

Try the same in AllTheWeb.com which is owned by a company Yahoo bought - Overture. The interface is as clean as Google but the results aren't full of shops.

[ggbrown]

Who knows what Steve Jobs has planned. Maybe it's the first step in a bigger partnership?

1. Add Yahoo search to Safari

2. Add Yahoo Messenger to the AIM Network so iChat, AIM and Yahoo Messenger all talk to each other, including AV chats.

G

[edenwaith]

I haven't spent the time to read through all four pages of notes, so if I'm just rehashing what has already been said...

My preference is the customizable search bar, like what OmniWeb offers. That way, I can search through Google, VersionTracker, or any other web site which uses a search which can be customized, including my own web site if I see fit.

[Skiniftz]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[scat999999]

And have an extra window open. No big deal with Expose.

[AssassinOfGates]

Im sorry, can you repeat that thing about yahoo being used instead? I think I had something crazy in my eyes.

[gekko513]

Maybe this is part of the hp-deal. Yahoo has a rather large "Powered by HP" logo at the bottom.

I don't really understand why some people are so anti-yahoo. It's not like google is that much better than most search-engines.

[slowtreme]

Originally posted by gekko513
You really are a bunch of whiners ... Exactly

[mrsebastian]

this is really not such a big deal. i'm used to google and would rather use that, but you know that little address bar at the top there? yeah that one, you can type in google. no really it works... enough for being a smart ass. if apple were to change it, i'm sure that within 5 minutes someone would give us a hack to change it back.

[mac4drew]

Originally posted by Wonder Boy
isn't google in kahoots with M$?

No.

Microsoft hates Google, as it does all companies that are not it or subsidiaries of it.

Google would never (I hope) become any part of Microsoft because Larry Page wouldn't sell out like that.

But then again, I thought Bungie would never sell out and look what happened there. :(

[ionas]

Originally posted by ggbrown
Who knows what Steve Jobs has planned. Maybe it's the first step in a bigger partnership?

1. Add Yahoo search to Safari

2. Add Yahoo Messenger to the AIM Network so iChat, AIM and Yahoo Messenger all talk to each other, including AV chats.

G

now THAT would rock, only icq is missing there (works over AIM nowadays?)

[The Tuck]

Safari2Yahoo (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22574?PHPSESSID=b97c5bbde7dcea8ec56c3cbc10721605) This program lets you use Yahoo! instead of Google in Safari. Could this be what they were thinking about?

[iindigo]

Originally posted by gekko513
...It's not like google is that much better than most search-engines.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the results I get from Google are about 88% more revelant than every other engine, and it has saved me from looking through pages and pages of results.

[AoWolf]

No! Google is simple simple is good. It would be a really bad move to change from google. Yahoo is too clunky and if you go to there home page your gonna get a whole lot of ads and other crap.

[youngr40]

Just give us the choice , in the preferences either or, or both

[geckoninja]

Originally posted by awulf
Yahoo gets their search results from Google (most of them anyway), but their interface is a bit bloated.

I think apple should use my scrappy little search engine instead :D .

As noted, it's pure yahoo (okay - inktomi) now. So, it may be better or worse - that's opinion. But, I think it's certain that google's interface is much much cleaner.

[SilvorX]

if anyone hasnt seen: http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/14268

EWWW

[CMYanko]

I will switch to Firefox in an instant.

[MacSlut]

Originally posted by geckoninja
As noted, it's pure yahoo (okay - inktomi) now. So, it may be better or worse - that's opinion. But, I think it's certain that google's interface is much much cleaner.

Are people comparing http://yahoo.com to http://google.com, or are the comparing the search results pages?

It's irrelevant as to who has the better or cleaner front door, since the search field makes it unnecessary to go to the front door.

You may like the search results and the layout of one versus the other, but they're pretty damn similar either way...at least not to have a cow over Apple deciding to choose one over the other.

Besides, as I posted before, Saft is an option and so is having Javascript searches via the toolbar.

[cb911]

oohhh... i really hope that doesn't happen.

i used to use Camino before Safari got a few releases under it's belt... if any deal with Yahoo goes down it might be time for me to have a look at the latest Camino bulid. and everyone seems to be talking about FireFox as well...

[John Driedger]

I hope NOT! If you search "Keynote Themes" Google has us #2! Over at Yahoo #7. Obviously Google is better : )
www.KeynoteThemePark.com

[nargot]

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22574

I think the rumor may have started because of this

[vanmonkey]

Originally posted by eSnow
one of my pet peeves with Safari is its completely braindead preferences. I want an option to disallow the browser to play mp3s from websites - ever. They are a major distraction and pain in the ass.

Along the same lines it is just retarded to not offer a choice of search engines.

Exactly. Sound enabled web pages are super annoying. And LOUD for those of us with the master volume up. I'd like a volume slider in safari too (a la iTunes). As more sites intigrate sound into them, it will become more of a consideration!

[Awimoway]

Originally posted by vanmonkey
Exactly. Sound enabled web pages are super annoying. And LOUD for those of us with the master volume up. I'd like a volume slider in safari too (a la iTunes). As more sites intigrate sound into them, it will become more of a consideration!

I use Rogue Amoeba's "Detour" to regulate on a case-by-case basis the volume of all my apps that make sound. Needless to say, Safari is turned down low.

[Benjamin]

macosxhints.com that day will instantly have a way to bring back google in the search bar, and if the way of defining the search bar is not changed then the article on how to change it now be used.

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20030514035516436&query=safari+search

[Mac Dummy]

Yahoo, as compared to Google blows as a search engine because you can't tweak it for obscure searches. Google allows you to search through much more content than Yahoo. Come on Apple, use the world standard.

[rdowns]

Can you imagine the reaction if MSN was the default search? Geez, choice is good but this hardly matters.

[windowsblowsass]

If this happens ill just use mozilla firebird its a great browser and i already use it sometimes plus open source mozilla.org

[AngryLawnGnome]

i don't think it'll matter. Yahoo's not bad, and it just got an image search, so if it changes, it won't bother me.

[AngryLawnGnome]

Originally posted by Mac Dummy
Yahoo, as compared to Google blows as a search engine because you can't tweak it for obscure searches. Google allows you to search through much more content than Yahoo. Come on Apple, use the world standard.

Sorry, don't know how to edit a post and put a quote on...neways, I think the reason Google's is "the world standard" may just be because Apple made it that way. I used to use Yahoo for everything before I got Safari and I always thought it was the best. True, though, Google does have a greater variety.

[macdop]

omni web is the best, any time I click in a search box, I get a little icon on the bottom of the browser, click that and it gets added to a pull down menu in the search box, so right now I have google, movie showtimes, IMdb, citysearch (which retains cookies), version tracker, a bunch of reference sites and a few other fun goodies, it rocks

[markie]

Question - of all you anti-Yahooers:

1. Until about a week ago Yahoo! used Google's search results. It was the same darn thing. I liked Google better for it's interface

2. About a week or so ago, Yahoo! switched to their own in-house developed engine. How many of you guys have used Yahoo! since the switch? I decided to compare the two, and found in about 2/4 of cases, the Yahoo! results were significantly better, in about 1/4 the Google results were significantly better, and in the remaining 1/4 there was no real difference. Therefore, overall I feel Yahoo! now has the better engine. If you haven't checked it out, I'd encourage you to do so before you talk about how Google is the greatest.

[Bunzi2k4]

Yea i just took a look at yahoo the other day, they aren't nearly as bad as they were before, but... I like the Google interface... well i guess if they do switch from google to yahoo, fine...

[Awimoway]

Originally posted by Bunzi2k4
Yea i just took a look at yahoo the other day, they aren't nearly as bad as they were before, but... I like the Google interface... well i guess if they do switch from google to yahoo, fine...


Maybe if Yahoo implemented an optional, cleaner search interface for those who want it, I might be more willing to use it.

[redkore]

Are you using the main site or search.yahoo.com?

[darthfire]

Yahoo needs to take a flying leap.

[geniusj]

Originally posted by Awimoway
Maybe if Yahoo implemented an optional, cleaner search interface for those who want it, I might be more willing to use it.

I haven't seen this mentioned before. But for those if you looking to use Yahoo!'s new engine. Please use http://search.yahoo.com/ instead of http://www.yahoo.com/ . It's much cleaner with a lot less clutter. Not as clean as Google, but close.

Regards,
-JD-

[sethypoo]

Noooooooo!!!!!!!!

[Abu Reno]

I think this is one of the those stupid rumors thrown at us to keep us busy thinking. I wouldn't worry about it!;)

[ryaxnb]

Awulf: Not anymore. Yahoo made itself independant of Google's search engine... or something..

They're just not the same anymore.

I really miss Opera's ability to search right in the address bar. If you typed "g bacon" there would be a google search for bacon "e bacon" ebay "y bacon" yahoo, etc. It was nice to have the choice. I really wish Opera made a good browser for Mac, it's one of the very few things I miss from my windows days... ::sniff:: OmniWeb.

[ryaxnb]

If this happens, just add the Google toolbar, like I've done on my XP machine at work. It' nice, and doesn't take up much space.

Besides, Yahoo is supposed to be sinking big $$ into upgrading their search. The Google toolbar doesn't work on Safari

[JDOG_]

From Apple's site:

"Built-in Google search
Just about everyone puts a link to the Google search engine in his or her toolbar. Safari takes this a step further with a Google search field right next to the web address. Safari remembers your most recent searches in a convenient popup menu and tracks your Google SnapBack point separately. After you’ve explored a search result, the Google SnapBack button returns you to your most recent results page."

Hmmm...sounds like they like it!...but is that just because "everyone" is doing it? :rolleyes:

[Grimace]

oh god....

Well, apparently Yahoo just beefed up their engine in response to Google adding a few million search results.

Google just sounds cooler anyway...

[Nik_Doof]

The search engine wars have started again....oh gawd :(

Remember the Yahoo / Altavista / HotBot / Dmoz saga? *cries* i was so happy when Google just owned everything and placed themselves at the top...

[shoez]

Firefox is already my browser of choice. Although the interface to Safari is slightly better - especially the cool "Submit" and "Reset" buttons, and the blue loading address bar... firefox has a better page search, really damn cool plugins and a far better search engine selection feature (I've got Google, Dictionary.com, Amazon and CPAN). It's also a lot smoother for browsing the web - specifically it doesn't have the stupid page caching bug which Safari parades. You all know the one - browse to a long web page; scroll halfway down; select and load a link from halfway down the page; press the back button and Safari returns you to the TOP of the page, not where you clicked from. Goddamn that annoys me so badly. Firefox really is worth the switch away from Safari - at least until Apple pull their finger out and get stuff sorted.



shoez

[theRebel]

Obviously the best solution is to allow the user to set the search engine via Safari preferences.

Personally I think that it would be nice if Apple were to incorporate Sherlock's old Internet search whereby a user could pick and choose multiple search engines from which results would be gathered.

[1macker1]

Ahhh, the good old days of having a choice. I've read about those days, please tell me about the golden years.
Obviously the best solution is to allow the user to set the search engine via Safari preferences.

Personally I think that it would be nice if Apple were to incorporate Sherlock's old Internet search whereby a user could pick and choose multiple search engines from which results would be gathered.

[gopher]

Ahhh, the good old days of having a choice. I've read about those days, please tell me about the golden years.

Frequently I got results from Google when searching with Yahoo. So it isn't all that bad.

[Urdam]

Google is far better then Yahoo

[atomwork]

According to one report, Yahoo is presently in negotiations with Apple to replace the Google-driven Search box in Apple's Web Browser (Safari) with one powered by Yahoo's search engine.

Apple's web browser offers a built in search box in the top right corner window which allows users to quickly search the web. Since Safari's introduction, the search box has used Google's popular search engine to provide results.

Google's prominent placement is presumably provided for convenience rather than any specific financial deal between the two companies.

I don't get it why Apple is not offering a drop down menu with 10 search engines to choose from. I would love to have the freedom of choosing for the right search any search engine over my Safari...

[gopher]

I don't get it why Apple is not offering a drop down menu with 10 search engines to choose from. I would love to have the freedom of choosing for the right search any search engine over my Safari...

Because not enough people have clicked on "Report Bugs to Apple" from the Safari menu making that request. I suggest you do.

[Rower_CPU]

Because not enough people have clicked on "Report Bugs to Apple" from the Safari menu making that request. I suggest you do.

It's not a bug, it's a feature request.

Use the right form:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/

[wdlove]

It's not a bug, it's a feature request.

Use the right form:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/feedback/

I would say that's a good idea. Steve usually says when introducing a new product, "we listen to customer requests."