To maintain its status as the default search engine for multiple platforms, documents show that Google invested $26.3 billion in 2021.

Thanks to CTOnews.com netizens and soft media users for 1520111 clue delivery! CTOnews.com, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) in a recent federal antitrust trial against Google, a document showed that Google spent a total of $26.3 billion in 2021 (CTOnews.com Note: currently about 192.516 billion yuan) to maintain its position as the default search engine for multiple platforms.

Google pays billions of dollars a year to distributors, including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi, as well as operators such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as browser developers such as Mozilla, Opera and UCWeb, according to the Justice Department. In terms of details, the deals also prohibit distributors from dealing with Google's competitors.

Foreign media The Verge analyzed the details of the $26.3 billion: most of it went to Apple, which cost $18 billion (currently about 131.76 billion yuan) to let Safari browsers use Google as the default search engine.

The US Department of Justice believes that Google's move is not conducive to selection and innovation, and harms the interests of competitors and consumers. But Google argues that its agreement with distributors is good for users because they can easily switch to other search engines if they want. After an antitrust trial, Google may be forced to change its business model and practices in the future.