According to an Alphabet lawyer, Google is the most searched keyword on Bing. Bloomberg reports that Google used the argument to try to overturn its EU antitrust fine of $5 billion. The statistic was used to show that Google users use Google freely, and not by force.
Google is facing a fine from the European Commission for allegedly abusing its position as Android's maker. If handset manufacturers want Android, the regulator states that Google must stop forcing them to install Chrome and Google Search. Googles argument? Most people would use it anyway.
According to statistics from SEO company Ahrefs worldwide, google is the most searched keyword on Bing. It is followed by youtube and gmail, as well as amazon. However, it surpasses the runner up by approximately 5 million searches. If you look at data only for the US, Facebook is the number one search engine, while Google is third. It seems that people use Microsoft's search engine to find Googles.
Bing is the seventh most searched keyword on Bing in the US
But wait! Ahrefs statistics show that bing homepage quiz ranks fifth in terms of US searches, while bing is at number seven. Its tenth most searched term globally is its own name. What's the deal?
Part of the problem may be due to defaults. Bing is the default search engine for Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer. If you type in something that isn't a URL it will take you to the Bing results pages. You may have seen someone with limited computer skills try to visit a website. Many people simply type in Google and click on the first link to get to Google. This is also true for YouTube, Facebook, and all other websites they visit. You don't need to add a.com at the end of your search when you can often find what you are looking for with just one click.
Please use the additional keystrokes to type ".com"
Most techies know that this is not the best way to go. I have personally helped relatives who got viruses from someone posting a malicious ad on Google. This result was the first Google search result for a popular website. This is how many people use the internet. Bings integration with Start Menu search bars could also help boost these numbers. Clicking on any of the results will take you to Microsoft's search engine. This is because Google Chromes popularity means that people might search for Google there quite often.
Microsoft refused to answer a question about whether it could verify the most searched Bing term. The Verges also requested comment from Google.
Whether this will help or hinder Google's argument is up to the judge. It is just absurd that at least part of Microsoft's default search might have helped Google to make its case against the huge fine for its default search.
