Apparently, this one, as they were doing it. What helps think about it is that the 'dependence' was a business transaction: Google paid Mozilla, and got something in return. Much like a startup being dependent on a single large customer yet still wanting to diversify.

Until they have actually diversified, they are by definition dependent on whichever search engine they are currently contracted to.

Yes, but you implied they couldn't strive for independence while doing so.

Furthermore, it's good to note that they have actually diversified: https://blog.mozilla.org/press/2014/11/new-search-strategy-f...

That is from 2014. They are back on the smack[0].

As long as search is the revenue center, there isn't much room[1] for diversification. If they need annual revenue of ~$400M to operate, it's either Google or Google.

edit: On that last point, I could be wrong. Most of the biggies could throw half a billion at them indefinitely if it served the right purpose.

[0] https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/14/mozilla-terminates-its-dea...

[1] https://www.netmarketshare.com/search-engine-market-share.as...

That only says they made Google the default search engine, not that they received money from them. And even if they did, that would be in addition to what they are still getting from Yahoo - the contract lasts until 2019. Mozilla simply had the option of changing the default in case of a Yahoo! acquisition by a company not in line with their values (i.e. Verizon).

Afaik, Google is nolonger the default in all markets.