Internet Explorer is the only important browser that doesn’t use Google as the default search engine, so Google tries to convince users to install Google Toolbar, switch to Chrome or at least set Google.com as the browser’s homepage.
When you create a Google account in Internet Explorer, there’s a weird option: “Set Google as my default homepage” and it’s enabled by default. After filling out the form and clicking “Next step”, you should see a browser dialog that asks if you really want a new homepage.
It’s a strange option to add in a “sign up” form and it has nothing to do with creating a Google account. Google already prompts you to set Google.com as your homepage when you visit Google.com in IE and it even shows ads that send you to this landing page.