In 2024 a federal court found that Google unlawfully maintained monopolies in general search and general search text advertising, and that Google changed its ad auctions in ways that raised text-ad prices without any meaningful competitive check. Advertisers who paid those prices may have a claim to recover the overcharge. This guide explains who may qualify, how claims are pursued, and what to do now.
This may apply to you if
- Your business, or clients you manage, bought Google ads in recent years, including on accounts that are no longer running.
- The spend can be documented from the account’s billing and cost history.
- You can identify the legal entity that paid Google and reach the account, even if it was managed by an agency or belonged to an acquired brand or predecessor entity. Our team can help pull and parse the data.
What the courts found
United States v. Google LLC, 747 F. Supp. 3d 1 (D.D.C. 2024), is the search case: the court held that Google unlawfully monopolized general search and general search text advertising and found that auction changes increased text-ad prices. Final judgment was entered December 5, 2025, and an appeal is pending. In a separate case, United States v. Google LLC, 778 F. Supp. 3d 797 (E.D. Va. 2025), the court found monopolization and unlawful tying in publisher ad-server and ad-exchange markets but dismissed the alleged advertiser ad-network market. Together, these rulings point advertiser claims toward general search text ads. They support investigation of individual claims; they do not award refunds. Read the search opinion.
How damages are evaluated
The central question is what you paid for eligible general search text ads compared with what you would have paid in a competitive market. That requires separating search-text-ad spend from Shopping, YouTube, Display, Performance Max and other products, then applying expert economic analysis to your account data. A flat percentage applied to total Google Ads spend is not a damages figure.
How claims are pursued
Most Google Ads agreements require individual arbitration. In Stellman v. Google LLC, 763 F. Supp. 3d 563 (S.D.N.Y. 2025), a federal court enforced Google’s arbitration clause against two advertisers and stayed their claims. In practice this means claims proceed one advertiser at a time, with counsel, rather than through a class action. Counsel first reviews claim ownership, account history, product mix, spend, governing terms, deadlines and potential damages. If a claim appears viable, counsel sends a contractual notice of dispute and then decides whether to file an arbitration.
Why timing matters
Federal antitrust claims generally carry a four-year limitations period, so the oldest eligible spend is aging out. Some versions of Google’s terms also impose 60-day notice or invoice-dispute periods, and Google has changed its terms several times; which version governs depends on your account. Delay can reduce or eliminate a claim.
What to preserve now
- Invoices, billing statements and proof of payment, including credit card and bank records.
- Monthly and campaign-level cost reports, broken out by campaign type.
- All customer IDs and manager (MCC) accounts, including inactive and historical accounts.
- Accepted terms, notices of updated terms, agency agreements and relevant communications with Google.
How we work
Silver Arbitration Law, PLLC represents advertisers and advertising agencies on a contingency basis. There is no charge for the initial review. The strongest claims involve substantial, well-documented general search text-ad spend, clear claim ownership, and a complete account and payment history. Recovery is not automatic; Google’s contractual, procedural, standing, causation and damages defenses require case-by-case review.
Next step: find out whether you have a claim. Request an assessment on this site, or email hello@silverarbitration.com. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after conflicts review and a signed engagement agreement.
Attorney advertising. Silver Arbitration Law, PLLC. The attorney responsible for this advertising is Marshall Silver. General educational material, not legal advice. No recovery is guaranteed. The firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google. Court rulings may be appealed or modified. Prepared from public primary authorities current through September 1, 2026.