The European Commission finally announced its decision in the Google AdSense investigation on Wednesday 20 March 2019.
The Commission found that Google’s Adsense for Search product had a market share of over 70% in the EEA market for online search advertising mediation platforms, thus having a dominant position in that market.
The Commission found that this position of market power was leveraged by Google in breach of EU competition law to require Google’s customers to sign agreements which contained non-compliant exclusivity clauses. This exclusivity strategy prevented rivals from being able to compete in the EEA online search advertising mediation market.
As a result of the Commission’s decision, Google has been fined €1.49 billion. This comes on top of record fines in relation to Google’s behaviour in Online Search, and Android in recent years.
The Commission’s press release can be found here.
Please contact Tim Cowen if you have any questions in relation to the Commission’s investigation, or follow-on damages cases.