Judge Rejects DOJ Bid to Break Up Google Ad Tech Business

A Virginia federal judge has refused to break up Google's advertising placement technology business, opting instead to grant the U.S. Department of Justice a list of behavioral fixes aimed at limiting the search giant's ability to boost itself and its own ads over those from rival ad tech providers.

The decision was made by Judge on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The DOJ had sought to break up Google's business, but the judge rejected this request, citing a litany of behavioral fixes as an alternative solution.

The behavioral fixes aim to limit Google's ability to prioritize its own ads and self-promotion over those from rival providers. This move is seen as a compromise between the DOJ's original request and Google's desire to maintain its business practices.