Google Paid Over $26 Billion in 2021 for Default Search Deals, Biggest Cost Revealed in DOJ Trial

Google revealed it paid $26.3 billion in 2021 for default search agreements with mobile and browser makers, its "biggest cost." This was a significant increase from $7.1 billion in 2014.

Google wanted to keep the cost of these agreements secret, but the judge ordered the numbers revealed during the DOJ antitrust trial.

Google argues default deals don't cause its dominance; instead it dominates because of constant innovation and investments to stay relevant.

Google views Amazon and TikTok as bigger competitive threats than Bing, especially with younger users.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai will testify Monday and likely reinforce claims that smart investments, not anticompetitive deals, enabled Google's search success.