Google Paid $26 Billion in 2021 to Be Default Search Engine, Mostly to Apple
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Google paid $26.3 billion in 2021 to be the default search engine on various platforms like browsers, phones, etc.
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The huge payment was revealed during the US antitrust trial against Google.
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The $26.3 billion is about 16% of Google's total search revenue and 29% of its profits.
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Most of the money goes to Apple for being the default on Apple products - about $18 billion in 2021.
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Google argues the payments are needed to stay competitive, while the DOJ says they hinder competition.
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