Apple is planning to add support for third-party AI-powered search services such as Perplexity and Anthropic to its Safari browser across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This announcement came from Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of online services, during a court hearing focused on Google’s dominance in the search market. Cue clarified that these AI tools are not expected to be used as the default search engines within Safari.
He also noted that, for the first time, the number of search queries made through Safari saw a decline in April. According to Cue, this shift suggests that users are beginning to rely more heavily on AI-based tools, which are gradually becoming alternatives to traditional search engines.
Impact on Apple’s Revenue and Current Agreements
Apple’s current agreement with Google ensures that the tech giant receives a share of advertising revenue generated from search queries. A drop in search volume, therefore, directly impacts Apple’s earnings. The ongoing lawsuit over Google’s advertising monopoly is also putting this agreement at risk, as it challenges the deal that makes Google the default search engine in Safari.
Apple currently earns around $20 billion annually from its search engine arrangement with Google. Cue’s statement was given during legal proceedings that could ultimately end this longstanding partnership.
In light of these developments, Apple is increasingly turning to external partners to support AI capabilities on its devices. The company has already joined forces with OpenAI to improve the Siri voice assistant. This collaboration is expected to provide Apple with access to ChatGPT at no cost, in exchange for promoting OpenAI’s services within its ecosystem.
Future Outlook and AI Integration Plans
While Apple is open to integrating AI-powered search engines into Safari, the company appears to be seeking a revenue-sharing agreement that mirrors its existing deal with Google, notes NIX Solutions. Cue emphasized that AI search service providers still need to enhance their technology in order to compete effectively with Google’s search capabilities.
As Apple evaluates its next steps, it’s clear that the company is looking to diversify its partnerships and reduce its dependence on a single search provider. These developments point to a possible shift in the way users interact with search on Apple devices—and we’ll keep you updated as more integrations become available.