Investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by Google in ad tech
The CMA is investigating whether Google might have abused a dominant position through its conduct in ad tech
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| March 2023 to early 2024 | Further information gathering, analysis and review of information gathered |
| March 2023 | Decision to combine this investigation with the separate investigation into whether Google might have abused a dominant position through its conduct in relation to header bidding services |
| May 2022 to February 2023 | Initial investigation: including information gathering, analysis and review of information gathered |
| 25 May 2022 | Investigation opened |
Decision to combine this investigation with the CMA’s investigation into Google’s conduct in relation to header bidding services
10 March 2023: The CMA has been conducting a separate investigation into whether Google has abused a dominant position through its conduct in relation to header bidding services. Due to the interrelationship of the facts and conduct in the 2 investigations, the CMA has taken the decision to combine them.
Case Information
On 25 May 2022, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law by Google. The investigation concerns Google’s conduct across parts of the ad tech stack.
Notes
- ‘Ad tech’ is used in the sale of online advertising. A series of tools have been developed and sold to help intermediate the sale of online advertising between sellers (publishers, like newspapers and news websites) and buyers (advertisers). Google has a strong position at various levels of the ad tech stack. More information can be found in the CMA’s final report for its market study into online platforms and digital advertising.
- ‘Ad tech stack’ means the supply chain of intermediation services involved in the automatic buying, selling and serving of open display advertisements, operating between advertisers and publishers (including publisher ad servers, SSPs/Ad exchanges, DSPs, advertiser ad servers).
- The investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 in relation to Google.
- The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement or infringements of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.
- The CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has been infringed.
- On 10 March 2022, the CMA opened a separate investigation into whether Google and Meta entered into an anti-competitive agreement and whether Google might have abused a dominant position through its conduct in relation to header bidding services. In March 2023, the CMA decided on administrative priority grounds to close the Chapter I investigation into whether Google and Meta entered into an anti-competitive agreement. In light of that decision and due to the interrelationship of the facts and conduct in the 2 investigations, the CMA has taken the decision to combine the Chapter II investigation into Google’s conduct in relation to header bidding services (Case 51134) with the CMA’s investigation into Google’s conduct in ad tech.
- Further detail of the CMA’s procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in our guidance.
Personal data
The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please see the CMA’s Personal Information Charter.
Contacts
- Assistant Director: Clementine Messent (020 3738 6153, clementine.messent@cma.gov.uk)
- Assistant Director: Neil Maxey-Branch (020 3738 6956, neil.maxey-branch@cma.gov.uk)
- Assistant Director: Sophie Mitchell (020 3738 6905, sophie.mitchell@cma.gov.uk)
- Director: Sue Aspinall (020 3738 6368, sue.aspinall@cma.gov.uk)
- Senior Responsible Officer: Ann Pope (020 3738 6786, ann.pope@cma.gov.uk)
Anyone with information about suspected anti-competitive activity is encouraged to contact the CMA.
Related Content
Last updated 10 March 2023 + show all updates
-
Decision to combine this investigation with CMA’s investigation into Google’s conduct in relation to header bidding services published to the page.
-
Administrative timetable published.
-
First published.