Dive Brief:
- An analysis from Goldman Sachs estimated that as much as 75% of Google's mobile search revenue comes from Apple's iOS.
- According to the analysis, Google made $11.8 billion in mobile search revenue in 2014 and nearly $9 billion of that was from Apple's mobile devices.
- Google's profits from Apple are dependent on a deal it struck to be the default search engine for Apple's browser Safari.
Dive Insight:
Apple and Google are notorious rivals competing in the mobile space for market share with their respective iOS and Android operating systems. Apple just recently reclaimed its spot at the top of BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Brands from Google -- who knocked Apple from a three-year reign as No. 1 the year prior.
The Goldman Sachs report suggests Google would do anything in its power to keep up the relationship with Apple. But if Apple were to bounce Google out of the default Safari slot, opting either for Bing or introducing its own search engine, it would put Google in a vulnerable position. As Search Engine Land puts it, as search marketing spending on mobile overtakes desktop, much is at stake for Google.
