Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

why is google not a search engine?

  • 6 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by James

colua
colua
more options

Hi, I know I can install the Google search engine through an add-on, but I wonder why the heck the most important search engine is not part of the default list in Thunderbird (52.9.0)?? Instead, Bing is the default search engine. Is Thunderbird sponsored by Microsoft or something? Also, the Google search add-on can not be installed "normally", but I had to download the file and install it manually. Anybody knows why Thunderbird tries to keep us from using Google??

Hi, I know I can install the Google search engine through an add-on, but I wonder why the heck the most important search engine is not part of the default list in Thunderbird (52.9.0)?? Instead, Bing is the default search engine. Is Thunderbird sponsored by Microsoft or something? Also, the Google search add-on can not be installed "normally", but I had to download the file and install it manually. Anybody knows why Thunderbird tries to keep us from using Google??

All Replies (6)

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Google refused to kick the can back when Mozilla spun off Mozilla Messaging as a self funding entity. The experiment failed, Mozilla messaging is no more, as is the development by Mozilla , they moved on years ago. Basically no one has changed the search engines since 2012.

I did file a bug requesting it be added to the English locale some months ago.... it is there for many non English locales

colua
colua Question owner
more options

Thanks Matt for clarifying!

kaylaartist
kaylaartist
more options

I just filed a bug report. Google is the MOST used search engine, so I don't understand. I would switch my email client because of this and Mozilla should know it.

user01229325
user01229325
more options

Since Mozilla does not develop Thunderbird anymore I doubt they care. The volunteer group known as the Thunderbird Council took over Thunderbird a few years ago when Mozilla was done with it.

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

kaylaartist said

I just filed a bug report. Google is the MOST used search engine, so I don't understand. I would switch my email client because of this and Mozilla should know it.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1241679#answer-1175925

James
James
  • Top 25 Contributor
  • Moderator
more options

kaylaartist said

I just filed a bug report.

Which was made as a duplicate of Bug 1427133 which Matt has linked to (in reply above) and explained the reason for the search engines being this way.


As for Mozilla well https://blog.mozilla.org/thunderbird/2017/05/thunderbirds-future-home/

Modified by James