Google’s $26.3 Billion Investment: The Price of Default Search Engine Dominance in 2021
What is Default Search Engine ?
- Default Search Engine: The default search engine is the search provider that a web browser uses for web searches when users enter queries into the browser’s search or address bar.
What is it’s use ?
- User Convenience: It’s set as the default to make searching more convenient for users. When you type a query in the browser, it automatically goes to the default search engine.
We can Customize it ?
- Users can usually change the default search engine in browser settings to use their preferred search engine.
What’s Summary of Issue ?
- Google, under Alphabet, testified in the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust trial.
- In 2021, Google made payments of $26.3 billion to secure the default status of its search engine on web browsers and mobile phones.
- The payments for default status had more than tripled since 2014, according to Prabhakar Raghavan, a senior executive overseeing search and advertising.
- In 2021, Google’s revenue from search advertising reached $146.4 billion, with payments for default settings being its largest expenditure.
- Google asserts that its revenue share agreements are legal and highlights its investments to stay competitive in search and advertising.
- Google also points out that users have the option to switch to another search provider if they are dissatisfied with the default settings.
The Matter :
In 2021, Alphabet’s Google paid a substantial $26.3 billion to other companies to secure its search engine’s default status on both web browsers and mobile phones. This revelation came to light during the antitrust trial involving the U.S. Justice Department, as reported by Bloomberg News. Notable points from this development include:
- The payments made by Google to maintain default search status have increased significantly, more than tripling since 2014. Prabhakar Raghavan, a senior executive responsible for both search and advertising, provided this insight.
- Google’s financial commitment to securing the default setting reflects its importance. In 2021, Google’s revenue from search advertising reached a substantial $146.4 billion, making the payments for maintaining the default setting its most significant expenditure.
- Google, when contacted by Reuters, chose not to comment on the testimony. The company maintains that its revenue share agreements adhere to legal standards and has underscored its investments in maintaining competitiveness within its search and advertising operations.
- Furthermore, Google has argued that users dissatisfied with default settings have the option to switch to another search provider, emphasizing user choice in the matter.
Does it matters for us ?
It does for Google really track you everywhere
https://www.wired.com/story/google-tracks-you-privacy/
But what is better than google these days ?
CHATGPT / CLAUDE
so stay tuned.
