WASHINGTON: Google paid around $26.3 billion to other firms in 2021 to ensure its search engine was the default on mobile phones and web browsers, a top company official testified during the Justice Department’s antitrust trial, Western media reported on Friday.
Google Paid About $26 Billion To Be Default Search Engine Phones, Browsers
According to the news report, the payments the search engine made for the default status has more than tripled since 2014. Google’s income from search advertising came in at $146.4 billion in 2021, while the payments for the default setting were Google huge cost.
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However, Google did not issue any statement over the matter. However, the firm has argued the income share deals are lawful and that it has invested to keep its search and advertising businesses more competitive. It added that if consumers are dissatisfied with defaults that they can switch to another search provider.
