Another year, another $15bn.

https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/25/analysts-google-to-pay-apple-15-billion-to-remain-default-safari-search-engine-in-2021/

I wonder if Google is more worried about Microsoft out bidding them, or Apple developing its own search engine?

Also notice, that these are one year contracts, whereas in the past, if I remember right, the Apple/Google search agreements were multi-year.  I suspect Apple is buying time to fully develop their own search engine and they need that time to make sure what ever they roll out does not suck.  I also like the irony that Google is being forced into financing the development of Apple's search engine, if it exists.

At the same time it's not like Apple has a lot of choices with only 2 major search engines.  Even if they put payment aside and went with DDG I doubt DDG's servers could handle the global load.

>Microsoft out bidding them, or Apple developing its own search engine?

My guess is Apple.

"Apple's search engine is Spotlight and it's looking more like Google"
https://www.coywolf.news/seo/apples-search-engine-is-spotlight/

"Spotlight represents a true universal search tool that is perfectly integrated with the operating system. It's similar to Android and the Windows search box, except that Apple doesn't force it into view as Google and Microsoft do. Instead, the user swipes down from the middle of the screen to make it appear.

Spotlight has primarily been used to display local results, like contacts, files, and apps. However, over time it has evolved to include more and more web results. Now, as Juli Clover, Senior Editor at MacRumors discovered, Spotlight in iOS and iPadOS 15 beta has gained rich results and web images search results that are similar to Google's search results."

>my guess is Apple

Same.

Google Pays Apple Billions to Keep You From Using... Bing?
https://gizmodo.com/google-will-continue-to-pay-apple-billions-to-keep-you-1847564608