update search engines

Browsers have an option that is usually on to "update search engines".
Why would a search engine need updating?
Isn't it just a URL?

In message , Louis Fabron
writes:
Browsers have an option that is usually on to "update search engines".
Why would a search engine need updating?
Isn't it just a URL?

Maybe it's "update the list of available search engines"? You don't say
_which_ browser. If it is just a URL, those may change with time (maybe
even disappear), or maybe it's more than just a URL, but also say how
search terms are passed as part of that URL, which may need updating.
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"Louis Fabron" wrote

| Browsers have an option that is usually on to "update search engines".
| Why would a search engine need updating?
| Isn't it just a URL?

Interesting question. I imagine they call home to
update what search engines are currently considered
official and operational. But they may also call home
to check the default for people who don't choose.
For instance, Mozilla used to take a kickback from
Google, then Yahoo, then Google again. That changes
the default search, which is what Google and Yahoo
are paying for.

Louis Fabron wrote:
Browsers have an option that is usually on to "update search engines".
Why would a search engine need updating?
Isn't it just a URL?

The URL might need to be updated, or have
additional parameters added to the command etc.

Paul

On 07/11/2018 14:18, Louis Fabron wrote:
Browsers have an option that is usually on to "update search engines".
Why would a search engine need updating?
Isn't it just a URL?

The idea is that by updating the "Search Engines" you are updating the
list of known search engines and so you can choose one to be your
default engine. Alternative is to use just Google and/or Bing and
nobody would know or bother to know other alternatives such as Yahoo or
that duckling!! It is all part of educating process of the unwashed
general public.

There is no automatic updating of the list. Users have to enter the
strings manually to update the list. That's wonderful!! You wanted
control over your machine and so that is what they gave you. You can
also delete ones that you think is spying on you. People have deleted
Google from their machines because they don't like something that works
better than anything else!!! and also because google employees have
become billionaires while these smart users haven't!!!!!!!!!!

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