Google appears to don’t have any drawback doling out money to make sure it stays the search engine of alternative. Documents have proven the corporate gives monetary incentives to smartphone producers to maintain its app retailer entrance and middle, and it pays builders to supply their video games in Google Play. The firm additionally pays Apple a hefty sum to stay the default within the firm’s Safari browser—this yr, it’s estimated to be about $15 billion.

That quantity comes from Bernstein analysts, who expect Google will fork over that much to retain its standing on Apple units. The quantity is prone to improve to about $20 billion in 2022. Those estimates are primarily based on patterns discovered within the newest out there monetary paperwork from each corporations. And except one thing modifications considerably within the subsequent yr, Google is prone to proceed to pay many billions to remain entrance and middle for iOS customers.

Jane Horvath, Apple’s senior director of worldwide privateness, stated earlier this year that the corporate defaults to Google as a result of it’s the preferred search engine. And Safari permits you to change from Google to a different search engine should you select.

It appears Apple and Google have a type of symbiotic relationship on account of this deal. The massive payout from Google technically falls beneath Apple’s Services division, which has undoubtedly helped Apple improve that income line through the years. That’s useful, as the corporate has diversified its enterprise past {hardware}.

Considering the phrase “antitrust” is floating round Google like an errant fruit fly, analysts observe this association could possibly be thought-about a regulatory threat. If it’s seen as proof of Google’s anti-competitive practices, Bernstein analysts estimate it might value Apple a possible 4-5% lower in gross income. Google may additionally determine to cease paying Apple altogether, however analysts consider that gained’t occur as Google “is likely paying to ensure Microsoft doesn’t outbid it.”

Google nonetheless makes a majority of its money from promoting income. The firm posted a report $61.9 billion in revenue, led by search, which made $7 billion by itself. But it’s unclear precisely how a lot Safari contributes to Google’s backside line, and whether or not paying Apple billions is admittedly price it when the choice is… Bing.