Monetization by overriding default search engine

Add-ons addons.mozilla.org
#1

Hello,

Is asking for overriding default search engine approved monetization technique?
I’ve been looking for a way to monetize my add-ons and since I really don’t like ads, this seems like a nice compromise (as every user gets annoyed only once).

I’ve checked the MDN article " Make money from browser extensions" but it doen’t mention it at all.

I’ve been approached by CodeFuel company to use this technique with Bing search provider. And since my savings are getting thin and my current model based on donations is generating almost no money, this seems like the best thing to do.

Also does anyone has any experience with this kind of monetization?

#2

Do you mean providing your own search engine? Possibly, though if users don’t want your search engine they will have to disable the whole extension.

Capturing/redirecting traffic by other means than installing a search engine is not allowed.

#3

I mean official Microsoft Bing search using chrome_settings_overrides / search_provider with is_default set to true.

#4

You should think of the search engine options in web extensions as a way for search engine providers to hook themselves into Firefox, and giving users an option to chose their search engines.

As for an extension that’s not a search engine, the page that probably describes this best is https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/AMO/Policy/Reviews#Unexpected_Features.

Default search is listed there.

You might also want to look at the “Financials” section on https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/foundation/annualreport/2017/ to learn more about Mozilla’s interests in default search providers.

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#5

Thank you for the info. Makes sense :slight_smile:.
So it looks like I’m back to donations…

Also after further inspection of CodeFuel company and their fake reviews I’m pretty sure this is some shady stuff.

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