Google is expanding options for Android users in Europe to choose a search provider on their smartphone, in line with the EU's competition fine against the company for abusing its dominant position. Earlier this year it started prompting users to consider downloading different search and browser apps from its Play store. Now it's planning to add a choice of search provider on the home screen and in Chrome.
The new options are expected to roll out in early 2020 and be offered when a person is setting up a new Android smartphone or tablet. The options can also be changed later and by existing users to customise the device.
Google will conduct an auction among search providers in each country, to select the software that appears as options to Android users. The selection will be valid for one year and the auction repeated each year.
In each country auction, search providers will state the price that they are willing to pay each time a user selects them from the choice screen in the given country. Each country will have a minimum bid threshold. The three highest bidders that meet or exceed the bid threshold for a given country will appear in the choice screen for that country. The auction winners, and Google, will be ordered randomly in the choice screen.Google expects to finalise the list of search providers by the end of October.
