Microsoft Uses Bing to Discourage Users From Switching Browsers Away From Edge

[engine]

Microsoft is trying to discourage users from switching away from its Edge browser when searching in Bing from Windows 10 for Firefox or Chrome.

I can understand why, and i'm sure, any other service would use similar tactics where possible.

Microsoft is using a new tactic to keep Windows 10 users from switching away from its Edge browser. The first time Edge users search for “chrome” or “firefox” using Bing — presumably with the intent of downloading those browsers from Google or Mozilla, respectively — they are shown a serious-looking message at the top of the search results.

“Microsoft recommends Microsoft Edge for Windows 10,” it says. A “Learn why” button next to that message brings you to a website showing off Edge’s features. Microsoft Uses Bing to Discourage Users From Switching Browsers Away From Edge [venturebeat.com]

[aristotle]

Well if you go to Google's search page using Firefox, IE, Opera, etc,, you see a message at the top that recommends that you install Chrome, accompanied by a download link

[tangor]

Are you sure it is BING that is doing the urging, or some function built into Edge as a self-preservation tool, and keeping that Edge delivered info going back to MS, just a Chrome does for Google?

On the face of it I see nothing wrong with the warning, but I seriously doubt it's BING.... Has anyone tried using Edge with G to see if the result is the same? If it is not the same then I stand corrected. Me, never saw it as I installed FF before using Edge.

[jimh009]

> Well if you go to Google's search page using Firefox, IE, Opera, etc,, you see a message at the top that recommends that you install Chrome, accompanied by a download link

I have never once seen this, using either Firefox or Safari.

[JAB Creations]

Just change the user agent to test whether it's built in or just a triggered server or client side script.

How many times have I installed software like Avast and Chrome installs by default and sets itself as the default browser? I don't think I've even seen Microsoft make IE and now Edge the default browser sans installation in any installers. I know everyone wants to compete, I just think the whole environment in which they compete (general operating system, no one specific) is too chaotic for fair apples to apples comparison and that is why browser vendors are forced to do the wacky things they do. I just wish Mozilla would stop forcibly changing Firefox's default settings, overriding people's profiles and spamming useless dumb-dumb buttons everywhere because it's the only browser you can truly customize if albeit it requires an excessive understanding of how to do so.

John

[lucy24]

I have never once seen this, using either Firefox or Safari.

Do you happen to have Chrome installed-- or at least downloaded-- already? They may have a way to check. Try globally purging every last google.com cookie, and see what comes up.

Come to think of it I haven't seen the message in a while, but it used to crop up constantly.

[aristotle]

> Well if you go to Google's search page using Firefox, IE, Opera, etc,, you see a message at the top that recommends that you install Chrome, accompanied by a download link

I have never once seen this, using either Firefox or Safari

Well I just tried it again with IE and Firefox and here's the message I got in both cases:

A better way to browse the web Get Google Chrome

With the words "Get Google Chrome" marking a download link.

I don't know why I see it and you don't, but I doubt that I'm the only person that Google shows it too.

[Wizcrafts]

In my case, after upgrading my Dell Latitude laptop to Windows 10, upon opening Firefox, a notice popped up asking if I wanted to make Firefox my default browser (it was already the default a few minutes earlier, under Windows 7). I answered Yes and assumed that all was well. Later on, I closed Firefox and when I reopened it, the same dialog appeared. This continued until I went into Settings and found where Default applications are assigned. The assignment for web protocols was Microsoft Edge.

When I changed the default browser to Firefox, Windows 10 complained and asked if I really wanted to do that. It brings to mind Hal, saying "Dave, I can't let you do that!"

[mcneely]

I don't use Windows, and I don't use Chrome to browse, or Google to search -- I use Linux, and my default is Firefox and Bing respectively, and the only notice I get from Google is this:

Get to Google faster. Switch your default search engine to Google.

I think the Google notice at the top might change depending on which search engine you are using as the default - or a combination of one or the other -

[J_RaD]

well after seeing how low goog has sunk to get chrome on anything and everything it can.

I can only clap my hands!

[aherman]

Two words: Pale Moon