In news that Microsoft will undoubtedly not be too happy about, Apple has decided to replace Bing with Google as the default search engine for Spotlight on Mac computers and Siri web searches in iOS. This is according to a TechCrunch report issued yesterday.
Things are happening fast — apparently, the switch started rolling out to Mac and iPhone users early yesterday, and by late afternoon it was completed.
In a statement issued to TechCrunch, Apple said: “Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri, Search within iOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari.”
Apple is, however, retaining Bing as its default search engine for pictures in both Spotlight on Mac and Siri, while YouTube will continue to handle all video searches in future.
It would appear that Apple has been carefully planning the switch from Bing to Google to coincide with the launch of macOS High Sierra yesterday, and not with the debut of iOS 11 a week ago. Unless you are part of the minority group who still believes that Bing trumps Google in every way imaginable, you will most likely agree that Apple’s decision should lead to an improvement in search results, both in the case of Siri and with Spotlight on Mac.
The iOS search bar will also use Google as its default search engine.
It is important to remember that on Mac and on iOS, search results will all be encrypted. However, as soon as you enter the world of Google, the web giant will start tracking searches in order to serve you with more targeted search results and ads.