United Kingdom: Competition and Markets Authority strategic market status investigation into Google's general search and search advertising services

Progress

Current status
in force
10 Oct 2025 in force
22 Jul 2025 processing consultation
24 Jun 2025 in consultation
03 Feb 2025 processing consultation
14 Jan 2025 in consultation

Scope

Implementers
United Kingdom
Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Unilateral conduct regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
online advertising provider
search service provider
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
competition authority
Implementation Level
national

Timeline of events

10 Oct 2025
in force

Competition and Markets Authority designated Google with strategic market status in general search and search advertising services

On 10 October 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) designated Google as having strategic market status (SM) in general search and search advertising services under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. The designation appl…

Source
Event type investigation
Action type ruling
Government branch executive
Government body competition authority
22 Jul 2025
processing consultation

Competition and Markets Authority closes consultation on its proposed decision to designate Google as having strategic market status in general search services

On 22 July 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) closed the public consultation on its proposal to designate Google with strategic market status (SMS) in general search and search advertising. Under the Digital Markets, Competition and C…

Source
Event type investigation
Action type consultation closed
Government branch executive
Government body competition authority
24 Jun 2025
in consultation

Competition and Markets Authority opened consultation on its proposed decision to designate Google as having strategic market status in general search services

On 24 June 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a public consultation to determine if Google should be designated as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) for its general search and search advertising services under the Digital Ma…

Source
Event type investigation
Action type consultation opened
Government branch executive
Government body competition authority
03 Feb 2025
processing consultation

Competition and Markets Authority closes consultation on investigation into Google's general search and search advertising services strategic market status

On 3 February 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) closes its public consultation on its investigation assessing whether Google should be designated as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) for its general search and search advertising s…

Source
Event type investigation
Action type consultation closed
Government branch executive
Government body competition authority
14 Jan 2025
in consultation

Competition and Markets Authority opened consultation as part of investigation into Google's general search and search advertising services strategic market status

On 14 January 2025, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a public consultation to determine if Google should be designated as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) for its general search and search advertising services under the Digital…

Source
Event type investigation
Action type consultation opened
Government branch executive
Government body competition authority