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Search Captions & Ask AI

What if Google didn't pay Apple $20B?

May 03, 2025 / 00:45

This episode discusses Google's $20 billion annual payment to Apple to remain the default search engine in Safari, potential user reactions to a change, and the implications for Apple's own search engine.

The hosts speculate on how iPhone users would react if a different search engine, like Bing, replaced Google. They question whether users would care or know how to change the default settings.

They also consider the negative perceptions of Bing and the challenges Apple would face if it decided to launch its own search engine, including the need for a public announcement and user education.

Overall, the conversation centers on user habits, brand loyalty, and the dynamics of search engine competition.

TLDR

The episode discusses the implications of Apple changing its default search engine from Google to another option like Bing.

Episode

0:45

00:00:00

Google still continues to pay Apple $20 billion a year to be the default search engine in Safari. What if they didn't?

00:00:07

What would Apple do? Would iPhone users be cool with, "Oh, I just like typed in the search box to Google something and

00:00:13

this other search engine came up." I don't think they'd care. Really? I really don't. I think there would be a

00:00:18

lot of memes if it was Bing tomorrow. Bing has a lot of negative connotations for everybody. I think the biggest thing

00:00:24

is if we're talking just like average person who has a phone, how many of them would know how to change the default

00:00:30

search engine? They might literally be stuck. A lot of people still buy Microsoft computers and and they open up

00:00:35

Edge to download Chrome. Apple could spin up a search engine and would have to announce it and explain it at some

00:00:40

point and they could launch it and do a whole thing. My point is I think it would continue to be Google for quite a

Episode Highlights

User Reaction Speculation
What if Apple switched the default search engine? Would users even notice?
“What if they didn't?”
@ 00m 05s
May 03, 2025

Episode Quotes

I really don't think they'd care.
What if Google didn't pay Apple $20B?
I think there would be a lot of memes if it was Bing tomorrow.
What if Google didn't pay Apple $20B?

Key Moments

Default Search Debate00:05
User Indifference00:14
Bing Backlash00:18
Search Engine Change00:37