US and states push back on Google search fixes and it could affect advertisers

Jersey City N.J., February 5, 2026

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and several state attorneys general asked a federal appeals court to review the remedies ordered in the Google search antitrust case. They say the current changes don’t go far enough to make online search fairer.

The case has already found that Google used its dominant position in search and search ads in ways that broke the law. It continues to show just how much influence Google has over the digital advertising world. We’ve previously covered this in our article on Google’s ad tech antitrust trial, which looked at how Google’s control over ad tools could affect competition across the market.

What’s at stake

The government is challenging the remedies set by US District Judge Amit Mehta last year. The judge ruled that Google used exclusive contracts and default search settings to stay on top. While the court did limit some contracts, which required Google to make changes, regulators say the company still has a lot of control over how search services are delivered and monetized.

This matters because how the remedies are enforced could decide whether competitors actually get a fair chance and whether users see more choice in search services.

The DOJ and the states argue that Google’s advantages, like default placement on browsers and mobile devices plus its broader ecosystem of products, are still too strong. They want the court to consider stronger rules to prevent Google from keeping its monopoly position.

Google’s side

Google disagrees with the ruling that it broke the law and is appealing that decision as well. The company says its search position comes from users choosing its products and the quality it provides, not from shutting out competitors. Google also warns that bigger changes could reduce choices and slow down innovation, according to its appeal explanation on the Google blog

What’s next

Both sides are appealing, so the case is expected to remain in the courts for some time. The appeals court will review both the remedies and Google’s challenge to the original ruling. The outcome could uphold the current remedies, send them back for revision, or lead to broader changes, depending on the court’s findings and guidance.

Why it matters

For advertisers, publishers, and digital businesses, this isn’t just legal drama. It could change how default search placements are negotiated, how traffic flows across the web, and how ad prices are set. For regulators, it’s a test of how far US antitrust law can go to keep tech markets competitive without breaking companies apart.

Pranali Shelar