Search choice screen on Chrome on iOS

Illustrative visual of the search engine choice screen in Chrome on iOS and desktop.

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:

  1. 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.

  2. One app per company:

    Only one of all the general search service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the same company are eligible to appear on the choice screen.

  3. One choice screen per app:

    To prevent user confusion, an application may be featured on either the browser or the search choice screen, but not on both.

  4. Localization:

    Search providers must provide Japanese or English language support. 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.

  5. App in Google Play:

    The general search provider must have an app that is available free of charge in Google Play to users in Japan. The provider must be in compliance with the terms of the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement.

  6. Branding requirements:

    The general search provider must operate a general search service as a distinct service and brand, not as a sub-feature and/or sub-brand of another product.

  7. 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.

  8. Functionality required:

    The general search app must provide your full “general search service” without requiring or prompting the user to move or upgrade to another app or website.

  9. Android OS support:

    The general search app must support the latest version of Android within 90 days of release.

  10. Minimum installs:

    The search app must have a minimum of 5,000 user installs.

Choice screen display and ordering

On iOS, Chrome will display the top five ranked eligible general search services according to Google Play installation data, ordered randomly for each user.

Users must scroll through all options before making a default selection.

FAQs

Participating in the choice screen

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 choice screen will display up to five participating services. Users may need to scroll to view all options, depending on their device's screen size and orientation, and will be required to scroll through the entire list before making a selection.

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 October.