Spotlight and Siri searches will now rely on Google.
Apple has announced that the search result provider for Siri and Spotlight has been changed from Bing to Google. The company has been using Microsoft’s Bing for years, but Apple recently changed the default search engine to Google for Safari. However, while the Safari browser for iOS and macOS has an option to change the default search provider, Siri doesn’t.
From now on, if you search for something with Siri or Spotlight, you will see the exact same results as if you are searching with Safari. With this move, Apple wants to make the results more consistent. The company explains:
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
Google recently paid $3 billion to Apple to become the default search engine in iOS and macOS, which could be a huge factor for changing the Siri / Spotlight provider.
Another new product that will ship in December will also use Google, not Bing. HomePod will rely on Google’s search results, just like Safari and Siri. However, you can always search with Bing and Siri if you want. Just say “Search Bing for new thriller movies”.