Google Pays Apple Up to $20 Billion Annually to Remain Default iPhone Search Engine, Deal Under Antitrust Investigation

Google pays Apple an estimated $18B-$20B per year to be the default iPhone search engine, accounting for 14-16% of Apple's profits.

The deal is being investigated by the DOJ in an antitrust suit against Google. The court may rule against Google, forcing it to end the agreement.

Apple gets about 40% of Google's traffic acquisition costs, which was $222B in 2022 - putting Apple's take at around $19.5B.

Apple controls the iPhone, generating over $60B in ad revenue. Both companies benefit financially from the deal.

If the deal ends, Apple could add other search engines like Bing or launch its own. But the court has yet to decide.