Apple is preparing to expand search options in Safari by adding AI-powered search providers across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, according to testimony from Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue.
During court proceedings related to Google’s ongoing antitrust case, Cue revealed that companies like Perplexity and Anthropic will be added to Safari’s search engine options, though they “probably won’t be the default.”
This move comes at a critical time for Apple, as Cue also disclosed that Safari searches decreased for the first time ever in April—suggesting users are increasingly turning to AI platforms for information gathering rather than traditional search engines.
Search Revenue at Risk
The testimony highlights potential challenges to Apple’s lucrative search business model. The tech giant currently earns approximately $20 billion annually from its revenue-sharing arrangement with Google, which pays for the privilege of being Safari’s default search engine across Apple devices.
This arrangement is doubly threatened: first by declining search usage as consumers explore AI alternatives, and second by the very antitrust case where Cue testified, which could potentially force Apple to terminate its exclusive search deal with Google.
Apple’s Growing AI Dependencies
This development further underscores Apple’s increasing reliance on third-party companies for artificial intelligence capabilities. The company recently partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT functionality into Siri as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative—a deal reportedly structured to give Apple free access to ChatGPT in exchange for user exposure and potential premium conversions.
For AI search providers in Safari, however, Apple appears to be seeking revenue-sharing agreements comparable to its current Google arrangement. During his testimony, Cue expressed a desire for these AI providers to improve and become more competitive with Google for general searches by developing more comprehensive search indexes.
