Verizon Negotiates to Make Google its Default Mobile Search Engine

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Verizon Negotiates to Make Google its Default Mobile Search Engine

6:15 am on August 25, 2008 | Category: Web Services, Telecom Services, Wireless

Verizon Wireless is currently in the early stages of talks to make Google the default search engine on all of its web-enabled cell phones, according to media reports early this morning.

The companies are apparently negotiating how to share advertising revenue generated by Verizon searches, as well as how much information Google can retain about Verizon customers and their searches.

Wireless carriers like Verizon have attempted to lure customers with their own mobile search engines, but have failed to keep up with popular internet-based search services in terms of sophistication or popularity.

“There is demand for Google search despite what the carriers put in front of them,” according to Nielsen IAG telecom analyst, Roger Entner. “Consumers want brand names they know.”

Google currently dominates the mobile search market with a 61% of market share, followed by Yahoo with 18% of searches, and MSN with a paltry 5%.