Google and Apple are fighting over a key issue: the metrics

Eddy Cue, SVP of Apple, recently testified in a trial that the use of search in Safari experienced its first decline in April, suggesting a possible shift of users towards artificial intelligence alternatives like ChatGPT.

This statement has provoked a significant response in the market, leading to an 8% drop in Google’s shares, indicating investors’ concerns about the future of the search giant.

However, Google has formally objected to Cue’s comments through a blog post, stating that it continues to see growth in search participation, including queries from Apple devices.

The decline of searches in Safari: a sign of changing user preferences?

In its statement, Google highlighted that it continues to see an increase in total queries and that the new search features have made its platform more useful for users.

The disparity in the interpretations of usage metrics raises questions. While Cue may specifically refer to searches within the Safari browser, Google focuses on the use of its applications on Apple devices, suggesting that there could be trade-offs in search traffic between platforms.

It is worth noting that Cue’s comments were made in the context of a trial reviewing whether the lucrative search agreement between Apple and Google should continue, assessing whether Google maintains an anticompetitive monopoly in the search market. It is in Apple’s interest for this agreement to remain, as it generates tens of billions of dollars annually for the company.

Additionally, Cue announced that Apple plans to incorporate alternative search providers powered by artificial intelligence, such as Anthropic and Perplexity, into Safari in the coming months, which could further change the competitive landscape in online search.