Google Chrome is gearing up to shake up its default search engine in Europe, finally giving users a choice beyond Google. But don’t expect a full overhaul – for now, this DNS freedom is still limited to the EU.
Currently available in testing via Canary flags, the change presents fresh Chrome installs with a popup panel listing alternative search engine options pulled from the user’s region. One can then select any of these popular providers to replace Google as their new defaults. The ordering of entries is random for fairness.
It’s a small but still significant shift in choice – and control – for European citizens. Where Google search previously reigned supreme automatically in Chrome, now users actively pick their preferred engine from competitive offerings tailored to their locality. No ultra-huge difference day-to-day perhaps. But symbolically, this signals meaningful movement toward consumer browser preference over Google’s personal interests.
Sadly, other global users won’t reap the benefits of default search diversity…yet at least. For now this boon remains cordoned off to EU members only with a tentative early 2024 rollout in the works. A clear win for European policy pressure in theory, but a loss for everyone held back another day from flexible browser DNS alternatives out the gate.
Baby steps nonetheless; there was a time not long ago when Google building ANY competitor options into Chrome felt inconceivable. And who knows – if EU adoption proves popular down the line, expanding user choice could become an obligation worldwide. But those outside Europe need not hold their breath anytime soon.
