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why is google not a search engine?

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

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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)

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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

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Thanks Matt for clarifying!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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