Judge Limits Google’s Default Search Deals to One Year
A recent federal court ruling has significant implications for Google’s online search market dominance. In December 2025, Judge Amit Mehta mandated that Google must limit its default search and AI application contracts to one year. This decision follows an earlier 2024 ruling that found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing online search and advertising.
Key Highlights of the Ruling
- The new regulation requires Google to renegotiate default agreements annually.
- This change affects lucrative partnerships with major device manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung.
- The ruling aims to encourage competition from alternative search engines and generative AI companies.
Judge Mehta emphasized the importance of this “hard-and-fast termination requirement” as a critical step towards restoring market competition. By enforcing annual renegotiations, the court seeks to end Google’s longstanding monopolistic practices and open up opportunities for competitors.
Impact on Competitors
As the search landscape evolves, this ruling may pave the way for various challengers to Google’s forced dominance. Several competitive browsers equipped with AI tools are emerging, including:
- OpenAI’s Atlas, featuring a ChatGPT-based interface.
- Microsoft’s Edge with integrated Copilot AI.
- Opera One, which includes the AI assistant Aria.
These new entrants could disrupt Google’s current status as the default search provider on numerous devices.
Future Prospects for Google
Despite these challenges, Google plans to appeal not only this ruling but also other antitrust decisions regarding its practices associated with the Play Store and search dominance. In September, the company narrowly avoided being forced to divest its Chrome browser as a remedy for past violations.
As of now, both Google and the Justice Department have not provided further comments on these developments. The ongoing legal challenges highlight the increasing scrutiny faced by major tech companies in their market practices.
