The conversations between Google and Apple have never been hidden. Even though terms are currently being negotiated for include Google's AI, Gemini, in new operating systems from the big apple. However, behind all these office conversations, there are terms that for many imply monopolistic practices. Among them, the billion-dollar contract that both companies have signed since 2002 by which Google is the default search engine in Safari, the iOS browser. In a document leaked a few hours ago it was discovered that the rate was 20.000 billion dollars in 2022.
The money that Google paid Apple in 2022 to be the default search engine is leaked
Although things are changing in recent months in the European Union, Safari remains the default and most used browser for iOS and iPadOS. It is, therefore, the access route to the Internet for the majority of users around the world. Because of this, Google and Apple have had an agreement since 2002 by which Safari searches default to Google. Contractual terms are opaque and not public, but they are sometimes leaked for various reasons. In 2021, the cost of being the default search engine cost Google more than $15.000 billion.
A few hours ago, Bloomberg had access at the price of this same share in the year 2022 and according to the American media The figure was around 20.000 billion dollars. for keeping default searches on Google. This information was stolen from the documentation issued by the US Department of Justice in a case that is open against Google, accused of monopolistic practices. In fact, the Department itself has assured that Google has monopolized online searches with its power, and it is clear that not all companies can afford to spend those amounts of money annually.
This will continue to be the case until Apple is able to have its own search engine, something that has been rumoured for too long. In fact, we will see how the fact that Apple can count on Google Gemini in its operating systems impacts the contract, since the opposite situation could occur and Apple ends up having to pay millions to Google, even keeping the search engine as the default search engine in Safari.
