Modern web browsers all have their own built in search field, with the ability to change the search provider as and when required. IE has Bing as its default search provider, with Chrome, Firefox and Opera all using Google as their default.
Google Inc. and Opera Software ASA have extended their existing short term deal, signed in November 2009, allowing Google to be the default search provider in the Opera browser until August 1st 2014.
Current statistics for web browser market share show Opera to be the least used browser, commanding only 2.2% of the overall market. IE and Chrome are fighting it out for the number one spot, with 28.6% and 28.3% respectively.
Google have also updated their deals with Mozilla to power the searches in its Firefox browser, despite Chrome enjoying fantastic growth.
Source: Reuters