Apple is switching results from Siri web search to Google in iOS 11, as well as Spotlight on macOS. Apple says that consistency was the reason for this (or maybe Google negotiated a new deal). Whatever the case, this aligns Siri search more with Safari, where Google has remained the default search provider.
From Spotlight to Siri
You may have noticed that Spotlight is gone in iOS 11. It’s now just called Search, and it falls under the Siri & Search menu in Settings. Apple improved Siri’s brains in iOS 11, and this move will simplify search and put more emphasis on Siri. TechCrunch received a statement from Apple that says:
Switching to Google as the web search provider for Siri, Search within iOS and Spotlight on Mac will allow these services to have a consistent web search experience with the default in Safari. We have strong relationships with Google and Microsoft and remain committed to delivering the best user experience possible.
Now the Siri web search results will be the same, whether you search from Safari, Siri, or Search in iOS. But notice I only said “web results.” This is because searching for images on the web will still come from Bing. And video results will only come from YouTube. If the video isn’t on YouTube, you’ll have to do a manual search in Safari.
TechCrunch notes that these results are plugged directly into Apple’s search API. This means that you’ll get raw data, without the ads and Google’s Knowledge Graph. Additionally, Apple encrypts and anonymizes your search queries and results. The new changes will start rolling out at 9AM PT/12PM ET.
Using Google for search? Well done, Apple. 🤡
And your point is? Hmmmm?
Then what is in it for Google?
Side note: I am up in the Bay Area visiting family. My niece and her husband wanted to see the Winchester House so we drove down there. The new Apple Spaceship is only a few minutes from the Winchester House and we went by it. There is still constuction going on and unfortunately the Visiter Center is not yet opened, they say later this year. Anyway, even from ground level the headquarters is impressive.
That’s pretty cool Lee, I’d actually like to take a walk in the tree grove. As I understand it, using the search API means you won’t see ads unless you visit google.com, and the you’ll be subjected to Google’s ads. Quote: “Once you click on the ‘Show Google results’ link, of course, you’re off to Google and its standard tracking will apply. Clicking directly on a website result will take you straight there, not through Google.”
Thanks Andrew, there had to be something for Google.
Yesterday, I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is unseasonably warm in the Bay Area, no complaints as it can get quite chilly here.