How does Mozilla Firefox Earn Money?

The answer to this question doesn't need a big explanation. It can be answered in just one word ~ Google. Mozilla gets paid by Google for the queries searched by the users in Google search engine through Firefox browser. Also, when you click on Google Ads in Firefox browser, a good percentage share of money goes to Firefox. In return, Firefox pays its gratitude by setting Google as the default web page in its homepage, based on the agreements they made with Google. In 2009, Mozilla Foundation generated an income of $104 million. It is really not clear whether Firefox gets its revenue from any other sources, but it is definite that, Google is Firefox's biggest sponsor or client. The amount of money paid by Google to Firefox, for the queries searched by a user in Firefox, is not publicly disclosed.

Amazon search also helps them to get some affiliate payments. Firefox stores, is also one of the ways by which Firefox generates some income. It sells Mozilla Firefox branded accessories and t-shirts, and makes some money out of it. Some of the other revenue generators of Firefox are Yahoo, Yandex, eBay and Creative Commons. Partnership with companies generates millions of money every year for Mozilla Firefox. It was estimated that the revenue income of Firefox is approximately $72 million. When asked about this estimation to Chris Blizzard, who is one of the board members of Mozilla Corporation, he said "though not off by an order of magnitude."

Google and Mozilla Firefox Relationship Going to Breakup?
Almost 90% of the total income of Mozilla Foundation comes from Google. Even Google promoted Firefox in YouTube, before it released it own product Google Chrome. We all know that, Google Chrome is gaining more popularity nowadays and is a very good competitor of Mozilla Firefox. Since 2004, Mozilla Firefox and Google had a productive relationship, with a contract between them, which extends till November 2011. But, will the contract between Google and Firefox end because of Google Chrome? The answer is we don't know. But, considering the fact that Google is a giant search engine, spends less amount on Firefox, as compared to its total income and also it is unlikely that Google will let Bing to become a default browser in Firefox, without fighting the battle.