Google cuts off source. Web browsers could lose 80% of their funding

Four major web browsers – Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari – have dominated the market for years. While they appear to be competitors, the reality is far more complex. Behind the scenes, it is Google that funds most of their development. Now, due to actions taken by the United States Department of Justice, this source of support could disappear almost overnight.

Google as the main sponsor of the browser market

For years, Google has paid enormous sums to Apple and Mozilla to make Google Search the default search engine in Safari and Firefox. Apple receives around $18 billion annually, while Mozilla gets about $450 million. For Mozilla, Google's payments account for as much as 83% of its total revenue.

Although Apple does not disclose how much it spends specifically on Safari, it is easy to estimate the impact of Google's support. In 2023, Apple spent nearly $30 billion on research and development across all its products. Google's contribution alone amounts to 60% of that total. It’s therefore likely that these payments cover the vast majority of Safari’s development costs.

Microsoft Edge – a browser built on Chrome

Microsoft Edge, despite carrying Microsoft’s branding, is based on the open-source Chromium project, which is maintained and largely funded by Google. While Microsoft does contribute to Chromium, its involvement is minimal – Google is responsible for 94% of all changes to the project.

Actions of the U.S. Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice has accused Google of monopolistic practices and seeks to limit the company's influence over the browser market. Proposed measures include banning deals with Apple and Mozilla, and forcing Google to divest from Chrome. If these regulations are implemented, Google would have to stop funding both Chrome and Chromium – which would also hit Microsoft Edge hard.

Mozilla and Apple have publicly opposed these plans, arguing that the Department’s actions would harm, rather than help, the browser ecosystem.

What lies ahead?

If the Department of Justice succeeds, the consequences for the internet could be severe. All four major browsers could lose a crucial source of funding at once. While the goal is to curb Google’s monopoly, the practical outcome may be the weakening or destabilization of the essential tools millions rely on to access the web.

Paradoxically, an attempt to protect competition could end up destroying it – and weakening the foundations of the modern internet.