Search Choice Screen
Eligibility criteria for participating in the search choice screen
To ensure an optimal user experience, search providers that wish to participate in the choice screen on Android and Chrome must satisfy the following requirements:
- General search provider:
The search provider must operate a “general search service.” For purposes of the choice screen, a general search service is one that allows users to search for information across the entire Internet. Specialized or “vertical” search providers -- those that only index content from a particular subject -- are not eligible to participate in the choice screen. - One app per company:
Search providers that are owned by or affiliated with the same company are eligible to appear on the choice screen only once in each country. - Localization:
Search providers must provide local or English language support in the countries where they apply to participate. Local language support in this context means that the user interface of both the search app (e.g., settings menu) and the search results page (e.g., navigation buttons) must be provided in one of the required local languages. For a list of languages that must be supported by country, click here. - App in Google Play:
The search provider must have an app that is available for free of charge in Google Play to EEA users. The search provider must be in compliance with the terms of the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement. - Branding requirements:
The search provider must operate a search service as a distinct service and brand, not as a sub-feature and/or sub-brand of another product. - Web search experience:
The provider’s web search experience must be compatible with the requirements to become a default search provider in Google Chrome and operate over HTTPS. - Functionality required:
The search app must provide your full “general search service” without requiring or prompting the user to move or upgrade to another app or website. - Android OS support:
The search app must support the latest version of Android within 90 days of release. - Minimum installs:
The search app must have a minimum of 5,000 user installs. - No connection to non-EEA state actors:
Search providers must not be directly or indirectly under the operation or control of non-EEA state actors.
Choice screen display and ordering
Android Search Choice Screen
The main available eligible general search services in each country according to Google Play installation data will be shown in random order each time the choice screen is shown. For an initial period, the five most popular eligible general search services in each country according to Google Play installation data will be displayed at the top, ordered randomly each time the choice screen is shown. The next seven most popular eligible general search services in each country will be shown immediately below the initial five services, similarly ordered randomly. After the initial period, an updated choice screen displaying the top 8 ranked search engines, ordered randomly, will start appearing on new devices distributed in the EEA on or after August 7, 2024.
Users must scroll through all options before making a default selection.
Chrome Search Choice Screen on iOS and Desktop
On non-Android OSs, Chrome will display a search engine choice screen later this year. The main available eligible general search services in each country according to Google Play installation data will be shown randomly on the choice screen. If a non-Google search engine is already selected by the user, Chrome will not show a search choice screen.
Users must scroll through all options before making a default selection.
FAQs
What data source is used to determine which options display on the choice screen?
We use Google play installs data to determine which options are shown on the choice screen.
How do you determine the list for the search engine and browser choice screens?
Providers must apply and receive approval for the DMA choice screen program. We assess each eligible provider's Google Play app installation data per country on active Android devices in the EEA to select the top search engines and browsers for the choice screen.
Why use Google Play installs data instead of public OS-specific data or Google Play monthly active users?
Our goal was to find a data source that is accurate, reliable, free from sampling bias, inclusive of all main providers, and consistent across both browser and search choice screens. Google Play installation data best met these criteria, despite the trade-offs.
What methodology are you using for the Chrome search choice screen?
The methodology for the Chrome search choice screen mirrors that of the Android search choice screen, using the same data sources.
Does it cost anything to appear in the choice screen?
No. Participation by eligible general services is free.
How many choices appear before the user has to scroll?
The number of participating services shown on the choice screen before scrolling varies according to the device’s screen size, resolution, and other factors (such as whether the user sets up their device in portrait or landscape mode). Google estimates that the vast majority of devices showing the choice screen include five or more choices before scrolling. Users will be required to scroll through the entire list before selecting an option.
Can I submit one eligible search service for one country, and another eligible search service for another country?
As long as the search services meet the eligibility criteria, you may submit a different search service for each country.
Can search providers still do pre-installation deals with OEMs?
Yes. Participation in the choice screen does not affect your ability to enter into pre-installation deals with OEMs.
Where will the selected search provider’s app icon be placed upon installation?
The selected search provider’s icon will be placed according to the OEM’s device launcher logic, as if the user had downloaded the app from Google Play themselves.
Can OEMs prevent the display of the choice screen or override a user’s choice screen selection?
Google includes a provision in its contracts with OEMs that prevents circumvention of the choice screen. OEMs have the discretion to make the home screen search box removable if they so choose.
How often can search providers change assets such as icons or voice intent?
Search providers may provide updated assets during the annual eligibility period in January.
What happens if the user deletes the search app that they installed via the choice screen?
Once a user makes their selection in the choice screen, the selected search provider’s app is installed on the device. Tapping the home screen search box opens up that app in order to answer the user’s queries (queries are not typed into the search box itself). Therefore, if a user deletes the app of their selected search provider, that search provider’s app can no longer be triggered when the user taps the search box. The Chrome default search engine will remain unchanged.
What happens if the user does not have network connectivity during device setup?
If a user does not have network connectivity, the user is presented with a persistent notification reminding the user to complete setup, which includes the Android choice screen selections.
What happens if the user skips the Google account login screen during device setup?
The choice screen is shown irrespective of whether a user signs-in with a Google account.
Does the Android choice screen have any connection with the list of possible search defaults in Chrome?
The list of search engines used for the Android choice screen will be the same list used for Chrome's search provider list.
If the OEM has a default browser set, and the user selects a search provider from the choice screen, does this have any impact on the default browser settings?
The Android search choice screen does not impact any browser other than Chrome and does not adjust default browser settings.
Does the choice screen appear on devices where search rivals have done a pre-installation deal with a rival?
The choice screen is only displayed on devices where the OEM has elected to pre-install the Google Search app and place the Google Search box on the home screen. On devices where rival search providers are exclusively pre-installed, the choice screen is not displayed.
Can a user change the search provider after it is selected?
Users are able to easily customize their search services following the completion of the choice screen, for example by changing Chrome’s search default, or moving, removing or replacing the home screen search box. The text that appears on the choice screen makes clear that users can take these steps.
When will a user see the choice screen?
During the initial setup of their new Android device, if the Google Search app is pre-installed.
Will a user see the choice screen more than once?
A user will see the choice screen once per device, at setup. If the user performs a factory reset on the device, they will see the choice screen again during setup.
When will the Chrome search choice screen appear for users?
We are targeting a Chrome release in April to start the search choice screen roll out for Desktop and in May for iOS/iPadOS, with a gradual roll out over a few weeks.
The Chrome search choice screen will appear on first run of the updated Chrome app for new and existing users. Existing users will experience the screen after their app is updated, and during new device installations for new users.
On which OS platforms with the Chrome choice screen appear?
iOS, Mac, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux.
Will the Chrome default search engine list be the same as the Android search choice screen?
Yes, they will be the same.
Does Google feed in to Google Search the data it might be able to gather from rival search providers’ default status on Chrome or the search box?
Google does not collect search queries that are entered into the search box. In regards to Chrome, Google does not receive information about queries sent to rival search engines unless the user enables Chrome features that store their browsing history with their Google Account. Any data recorded in relation to the choice screen will be used for maintenance and improvement of the user interface.
Does Google sell any data that it collects from the choice screen?
No.
Can search providers monitor search traffic coming from Chrome as a result of the user’s selection in the choice screen?
Yes. If Google Chrome’s search engine was set by the choice screen, then a Chrome-specific URL parameter will be added to the URLs of all searches issued to that search engine.
Can search providers monitor installations triggered through the choice screen?
Search providers can use the Google Play Store’s Install Referrer API to securely retrieve referral content from Google Play and to identify and differentiate installations triggered through the Play Store and the choice screen during device setup.
How can search providers track search queries coming from the home screen search box?
Search providers can track this by incorporating their own in-app analytics and analyzing sessions based on the specific search intent action provided by Google in the technical requirements document.
Will providers receive details on their ranking in each country?
Yes - Google will share provider rankings in each country for the browser and search choice screens.
Will providers receive regular reports on choice screen selections?
Google will provide a quarterly report on the selections for the Android choice screen. Providers can use the Google Play Store’s Install Referrer API to securely retrieve referral content from Google Play and to identify and differentiate installations triggered through the Play Store and the choice screen during device setup. Referrer data key is utm_source with value “eea-search-choice” for the search choice screen and “eea-browser-choice” for the browser choice screen.
How will Google provide transparency on Google Play install data for providers?
Google will continue to provide Google Play install base data to the European Commission for review. Google will also share details on rankings of each provider per country for browser and search providers.
How frequently will the options list be refreshed?
The options list will be refreshed twice a year.
I would like to apply for the DMA choice screen program. How and when can I apply?
Please request an application by emailing us at: dmachoice-partner-questions@google.com. Application windows open twice a year at the beginning of the year and during the summer.
How often can I update my text description?
Please submit your proposed text description to Google at dmachoice-partner-questions@google.com to ensure your updated text description complies with the DMA text description policy.
How often can I update my assets (eg: logos, search intents, etc)?
You can submit updated assets twice a year before the options lists are refreshed.
When will the requirement to scroll through the entire list of options before making a selection be available?
This requirement is currently in effect.