There's huge money in free and open source software as Mozilla proves it yet again.Mozilla, developers of Firefox browser, generated a revenue of $53 million in the year 2005 mostly from "search engine relationships". [Jason Calacanis' estimates were close enough.]
Now it doesn't take rocket science to assume that most of this money flew in from Google as it is the default search engine in Firefox.
So how does Mozilla generates those millions of dollars from that 200 x 22 Google search box sitting on the top right corner of Firefox ? The answer lies in "client=firefox-a"
Type in any query in that box and hit enter [make sure Google is selected as the default search engine] - Now take a close look at the Google URL that appears in the Firefox address bar - you'll see a substring saying client=firefox-a.
http://www.google.com/search?q=fountain+pens&client=firefox-a
That is sort of a hidden instruction from Mozilla to Google search engine saying the search originated from Firefox search box and if the user clicks on a sponsored link (Google Ads) displayed in search results, give us a commission.
There are millions of Firefox users worldwide searching Google several times a day and that keeps the cash registers at Mozilla ringing.
To clear any confusion - Google doesn't pay Mozilla when somebody downloads a copy of Firefox from Mozilla servers. It's only when users perform a search from Mozilla products and clicks on the Google ad.
Update: Mozilla gets revenue from other browsers as well including Microsoft IE and Opera which is free now. Only the reference string changes in that case.
Firefox - http://www.google.com/search?q=test&client=firefox-a
Opera - http://www.google.com/search?q=test&sourceid=opera
IE 7 - http://www.google.com/search?q=test&sourceid=ie7
Update: If you are curious to know how Firefox passes that parameter to Google, follow these steps:
» Open the Firefox installation folder [generally c:\program files\mozilla firefox]
» Open the google.xml file in notepad [located in searchplugins folder]
» You will see the firefox-a string in the file.
Related: Firefox Search Bar Hacks
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2007/01/clientfirefox-this-magical-firefox.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
f you hate to see Mozilla getting rich each time you perform a Google search from Firefox, here's a simple hack:
» Open the Firefox installation folder [generally c:\program files\mozilla firefox]
» Open the google.xml file in notepad [located in searchplugins folder]
» Replace "firefox-a" with any text string. Save the file and restart Firefox.
Google will never know if the search query originated from Firefox search box and therefore won't give a cut to Mozilla.
absolutely wrong
why do such a thing when you yourself earn from google (adsense)
and belive me, if all the firefox users so such a thing then mozilla might take back firefox from the market
that would be a loss to u too
Written on 4/1/07 9:53 PM
"Update: Mozilla gets revenue from other browsers as well including Microsoft IE and Opera which is free now."
How does Mozilla gets revenue for searches done on other browsers?
Does Mozilla redirects to other browser at anytime??? :O
Written on 4/1/07 10:22 PM
With people like you - Microsoft gets to be evil - Aren't you ashamed ?
PLEASE DONT EVER CLICK ON THIS GUYS ADS AND DON'T LINK TO HIM
Written on 4/1/07 11:00 PM
I think Mozilla should be rewarded for the good work they have done with Firefox
Written on 4/1/07 11:19 PM
I too have a hack for people who hate to see you getting rich from Google Adsense,
Use a proxy site like mathtunnel.com, kproxy.com etc. etc. with "No Ads" option and browse your site or feed i.e http://labnol.blogspot.com/atom.xml
[not the feedburner one]
Not only it will hide visitor's information, load the site faster(we need information only) but also won't make the author rich.
What you say now??
Written on 5/1/07 12:01 AM
I have to agree that I don't mind Firefox making money on my searches...it is a great alternative to IE and an equal to Opera in most regards.
Regarding the XML hack...well...I also don't believe that Mozilla will be hurting one way or the other financially if Joe User removes/changes the string. In Amit's defense I think a few of you have taken the article out of context...he is not recommending that you do the hack to take money from Mozilla, but to show the "curious" what changing that string will do in the browser when you search on Google.
Thanks for your time!
Written on 5/1/07 12:06 AM
Good article. When people are curious enough, they will find that there's always something going on in the background. Mozilla deserves that money, but I have the search box defaulted to answers.com for tougher reference searches.
Written on 5/1/07 2:13 AM
They deserve it - good for Mozilla
Written on 5/1/07 9:33 PM
This isn't a bad thing that we are all crazy
Written on 11/1/07 6:26 PM