Google Paid $26B in 2021 to Remain Default Search on Apple Devices, DOJ Calls it Illegal Monopoly Maintenance

Google paid $26 billion in 2021 to companies like Apple to be the default search engine on devices and platforms.

Google's revenue from search advertising in 2021 was $146 billion, so the defaults represent its biggest cost.

The payments show defaults matter to Google, though it argues its success is due to product quality.

The DOJ's antitrust case argues Google illegally maintains a monopoly, aided by its default status.

An internal email shows Google values Chrome as a way to serve search, so defaults matter greatly.