[Drdrdrq]

As commented elsewhere: not true. I had to change settings (back) on quite a few accounts, so I'm certain of it. And yes, I did have StartPage as default.

[staktrace]

I was slightly off; see callahad's description of the algorithm elsewhere in the thread for a better description of what happens.

[Nomentatus]

But you've said what s/he said - you liked the default, but the default changed. That's what you both agree on. Had you not remained on the default search engine, your move would have been retained. This leaves the question of whether a past change first away from the default and then back would have been counted as a choice to be retained or as merely the default.