Observed Signal · Sep 29, 2023 · Regulation · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Bing Nearly Became Apple's Default Search Engine in 2016
During the US antitrust trial against Google, new details emerged about default search engine agreements. Google reportedly paid Apple between $15 billion and $20 billion per year to remain the default search engine on Apple devices and Safari. In 2016, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple CEO Tim Cook met to discuss making Bing the default in Safari, including a possible sale of Bing to Apple, but the deal did not happen. Apple executive Eddy Cue testified that Google's search quality was the reason for the partnership and that Apple has no plans to build its own search engine. The DOJ alleges that Google's payments to Apple, LG, Motorola and Samsung unfairly disadvantage rivals like Bing and DuckDuckGo.
Reveals the scale of Google's default-search payments to Apple and the failed Microsoft-Apple negotiation, central to the DOJ antitrust case that could reshape search distribution and advertising competition.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google pays Apple between $15 billion and $20 billion per year to remain the default search engine on Apple devices and Safari.
- In 2016, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple CEO Tim Cook met to discuss making Bing the default search engine in Safari.
- A possible sale of Bing to Apple was reportedly discussed during the talks.
- Apple executive Eddy Cue testified that Google is the best search product and that Apple has no ambition to build its own search engine.
- The US DOJ alleges Google's default-search payments to Apple, LG, Motorola and Samsung unfairly disadvantage rivals such as Bing and DuckDuckGo.
Connected Companies & Entities
8 Entities mapped“Apple received billions from Google for the default search engine status on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Safari....”
“Google reportedly pays Apple between $15 billion and $20 billion per year to remain the default search engine on Apple devices....”
“The DOJ complaint mentions Google pays device makers including Motorola to secure default search status....”
“The DOJ complaint mentions Google pays device makers including LG to secure default search status....”
“The DOJ complaint mentions Google pays device makers including Samsung to secure default search status....”
“In 2016, Microsoft tried to make Bing the default search engine on Apple devices and software....”
“The DOJ complaint says Google's payments unfairly disadvantage competitors such as Bing from Microsoft or DuckDuckGo....”
“The DOJ complaint mentions Google pays device makers including LG to secure default search status....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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