Yelp Moves to Block Google’s Search Monopoly After Antitrust Ruling
Yelp requests issue preclusion to enforce a 2024 ruling against Google’s search monopoly.
Why it matters: Legal teams advising tech companies and corporations face evolving antitrust compliance demands as courts limit Google’s market dominance and data control.
- On August 5, 2024, Judge Amit P. Mehta found Google guilty of monopolizing general search and advertising markets.
- In September 2025, Google was ordered to end exclusive contracts on key platforms and share search index data for six years.
- Yelp seeks issue preclusion to prevent Google from resuming anticompetitive search practices.
- Google’s 90% search market share was secured through over $26 billion spent on default placements, including $18 billion paid to Apple.
On August 5, 2024, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that Google unlawfully monopolized the general search market by using exclusive contracts that restricted competition. The court noted Google controlled nearly 90% of the search market over the past decade and spent more than $26 billion in 2021 alone, including around $18 billion paid to Apple, to secure default search engine placements.
Following this verdict, in September 2025, Judge Mehta mandated that Google terminate exclusive agreements on platforms such as Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, and its Gemini app. The order also requires Google to provide qualified competitors access to its search index and anonymized user interaction data under the supervision of a technical committee for six years. Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the ruling as "an important step forward in the Department of Justice's ongoing fight to protect American consumers."
In response, Yelp has filed a motion seeking issue preclusion, aiming to prevent Google from continuing or reverting to monopolistic search behaviors. Yelp argues the prior ruling conclusively bars Google from such anticompetitive conduct, reinforcing the court’s judgment.
While the court set clear directives, how Google will operationalize mandated data sharing and compliance remains to be detailed. The timing for judicial consideration of Yelp’s request has not been disclosed.
These developments shape legal and compliance approaches for companies navigating antitrust enforcement and competition law in the technology sector, especially those advising corporate clients and tech firms facing similar scrutiny.
By the numbers:
- 90% — Google's approximate share of the general search market for over a decade
- $26B — Google’s spending in 2021 on default search placements
- 6 years — Duration for which Google must share search data with competitors
Yes, but: Google has not yet detailed how it will implement the data sharing and end exclusive contracts, which may affect the practical impact of the ruling and Yelp’s issue preclusion request.
What's next: The court will review Yelp's motion for issue preclusion; stakeholders expect further clarifications on Google’s compliance plans in coming months.