For the first time in over two decades, Google searches via Safari have declined, signaling a potential shift in the digital search landscape. The revelation came from Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, during testimony in the ongoing antitrust trial opposing Google and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Cue disclosed that Apple is actively exploring AI-based search engines as future alternatives to Google in Safari. This includes discussions with companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity, and even Google itself — specifically around its new Gemini AI model. While there is no immediate plan to replace Google as the default search engine, Apple is laying the groundwork to diversify the Safari search experience.
The motivation behind this shift? The rise of conversational AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, which offer users faster, contextual, and dialogue-driven responses. These tools have started to erode Google’s dominance by providing search results that feel more intuitive, particularly among younger users. According to Apple, this trend contributed directly to the April decline in Google searches via Safari — an unprecedented event in the companies' 22-year partnership.
Currently, Google pays Apple around $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine on Safari — a key point of contention in the DOJ’s antitrust case. But Apple’s evolving position suggests this lucrative alliance may not last forever.
Trial documents reveal Apple’s intention to integrate AI-powered search tools alongside Google, rather than outright replacing it. This would offer users more flexibility and could mark the beginning of a broader strategy to reduce Apple’s reliance on Google, especially as generative AI reshapes user expectations.
Apple has yet to develop its own AI-based search engine but seems poised to build an enriched ecosystem by supporting third-party AI players. This would allow Apple to innovate in the search domain without directly entering the fray as a competitor.
As traditional search engines lose their grip in the face of rapidly advancing AI, Apple’s experimentation could signal a turning point in how people access information online. If the tech giant proceeds with integrating multiple AI options into Safari, it may not only redefine the browser experience but also reshape the global search engine market, long dominated by Google.
