Alphabet’s Google paid $26.3 billion to other companies in 2021 to ensure its search engine was the default on web browsers and mobile phones, a top company executive testified during the Justice Department’s antitrust trial, Bloomberg News reported on Friday.
The amount of payments Google made for the default status has more than tripled since 2014, according to senior executive Prabhakar Raghavan who is responsible for both search and advertising, the report added.
Google‘s revenue from search advertising came in at $146.4 billion in 2021, while the payments for the default setting were its biggest cost, Raghavan was mentioned as Reuters reported..
The company has argued the revenue share agreements are legal and that it has invested to keep its search and advertising businesses competitive. It has also argued that if people are dissatisfied with defaults that they can, and do, switch to another search provider.
Google had objected to revealing the numbers, saying they would harm the company’s ability to negotiate contracts in the future. Judge Amit Mehta, who is overseeing the case, ruled that the numbers should be disclosed, the report added.
Network18 reaches 250mn TV viewers, crosses 65bn social video views: Akash Ambani
MIFF panel agrees youngsters driving documentary renaissance
At APOS, JioStar’s Chatterjee says India most demanding live sports market
JioStar’s Vaz says focus is on creating integrated consumer experiences across screens
UK proposes sweeping SM ban for under-16s; WhatsApp exempted
Classic animation gem draws audiences at MIFF
Disney-Pixar ‘Toy Story5’ debuts with $312mn global opening
Women-led OTT shows generate 47% more buzz: Ormax analysis
Typecasting thoughts haunt ‘Pyramid Scheme’ actors Shorey, Cheema
AI films showcase new storytelling frontiers at MIFF ’26 


