Google Paid $26 Billion in 2021 to Be Default Search Engine, Mostly to Apple

Google paid $26.3 billion in 2021 to be the default search engine on various platforms like browsers, phones, etc.

The huge payment was revealed during the US antitrust trial against Google.

The $26.3 billion is about 16% of Google's total search revenue and 29% of its profits.

Most of the money goes to Apple for being the default on Apple products - about $18 billion in 2021.

Google argues the payments are needed to stay competitive, while the DOJ says they hinder competition.