Google seeks to cut ties with Apple’s Safari amid DOJ Antitrust probe: Report
Google's strategic moves to reduce its reliance on Apple's Safari browser in anticipation of the antitrust case outcome. Over the years, Google has attempted to shift iPhone users towards its own Google and Chrome apps for search purposes.
Although there has been some progress, with the share of searches through these apps rising to the low 30 per cent from 25 per cent five years ago, the momentum stalled in the latter half of last year. This figure remains significantly below Google’s aim of reaching 50 per cent by 2030.Reportedly, the billions of dollars paid to Apple are part of a revenue-sharing agreement, whereby Apple receives a portion of the advertising revenue from Google searches conducted in Safari.
By encouraging users to switch to Chrome and Google apps, Google hopes to decrease its payments to Apple and reduce its exposure to regulatory actions.However, persuading users to abandon Safari, which comes pre-installed on Apple devices, has proven to be a daunting task. The report adds that to spearhead this initiative, Google recently brought on board Robby Stein, a former executive at Instagram and Yahoo.
Stein’s mandate includes leveraging generative AI to enhance the appeal of Google’s apps, as disclosed by individuals involved in the effort. Google executives even contemplated limiting its AI Overviews feature, which provides AI-generated search responses, to its own apps.
This would have meant that Safari users would miss out on AI Overviews, a move that was ultimately abandoned. Milestone Alert!
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