Google Powers Siri Search

Apple’s decision to change its default web search browser to Google from Microsoft’s Bing when accessing Siri may seem like a blow to the Redmond, Washington-based software company, but it actually was expected.

According to news from TechCrunch, Apple’s main motivation for switching search results from Bing to Google when using Siri is to keep things uniform. Safari on Mac and iPhone browsers already uses Google search as the default browser. The change when using Siri to conduct searches or when Spotlight is being used was part of its focus on consistency.

“Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri … within iOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari,” reads an Apple statement, according to TechCrunch. “We have strong relationships with Google and Microsoft and remain committed to delivering the best user experience possible.” The report noted that web image results when using Siri will be provided by Bing. Video results, meanwhile, will come from YouTube, noted the report.  

In a statement to TechCrunch, a Microsoft spokesperson said: “We value our relationship with Apple and look forward to continuing to partner with them in many ways, including on Bing Image Search in Siri, to provide the best experience possible for our customers. Bing has grown every year since its launch, now powering over a third of all the PC search volume in the U.S., and continues to grow worldwide. It also powers the search experiences of many other partners, including Yahoo (Verizon), AOL and Amazon, as well as the multilingual abilities of Twitter. As we move forward, given our work to advance the field of AI, we’re confident that Bing will be at the forefront of providing a more intelligent search experience for our customers and partners.”