It's no secret that Android is heavily integrated with Google search. Google Now (soon to be Google Assistant) is the primary voice assistant, and Google search is included on every device with the Google Play Store. According to Reuters, Google also pays device manufacturers to keep Google as the only search application on Android devices, and the European Union isn't thrilled.

EU antitrust regulators are ordering Google's parent company, Alphabet, to cease providing incentives to keep Google search installed exclusively on Android devices. A 150+ page EU document outlines the issue, stating that Google "cannot punish or threaten" manufacturers for not complying with its conditions. Sound familiar?

The investigation by the EU started from a complaint by FairSearch, a group of organizations that commonly lobby against Google's near-monopoly on search engines. Members of FairSearch include TripAdvisor, Oracle, Expedia, Nokia, and others (full list here).

The amount of the fine has not been determined, but Reuters suggests it could be based on AdWords revenue from European users, Play Store purchases, Google search product queries, and in-app advertisements.

While I'm sure most users of the internet (myself included) use Google search, and perhaps see competitors like Microsoft's Bing as an unsuitable alternative, it's hard to deny Google's monopoly on online search is good. Any SEO business will tell you that Google search rankings can make or break a website, company, or product.