Invitation to comment: SMS investigation into Google’s general search and search advertising services

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This ITC closed at 11.55pm on 3rd February 2025.

Non-confidential responses are published on the consultation page: SMS investigation into Google’s search and search advertising services.


Details

The CMA has launched an ‘initial SMS investigation’ under Part 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

The CMA is investigating whether to designate Google as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) in respect of its provision of general search and search advertising services.

If a firm is designated as having SMS, the CMA can impose interventions including through setting conduct requirements or pro-competition interventions.

The CMA published an invitation to comment (ITC) relating to its investigation and invites submissions, in particular on:

  • the scope of our SMS investigation and main avenues of investigation
  • whether the potential issues are the right ones on which to focus, and how any interventions could be designed effectively and proportionately.

Find out more

Find out more about the digital markets competition regime and SMS investigations on the guidance page for how the UK’s digital markets competition regime works. If you have any questions about this consultation or the CMA’s investigation please contact us at searchsms@cma.gov.uk.

This ITC closed at 11.55pm on 3rd February 2025.

Non-confidential responses are published on the consultation page: SMS investigation into Google’s search and search advertising services.


Details

The CMA has launched an ‘initial SMS investigation’ under Part 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

The CMA is investigating whether to designate Google as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) in respect of its provision of general search and search advertising services.

If a firm is designated as having SMS, the CMA can impose interventions including through setting conduct requirements or pro-competition interventions.

The CMA published an invitation to comment (ITC) relating to its investigation and invites submissions, in particular on:

  • the scope of our SMS investigation and main avenues of investigation
  • whether the potential issues are the right ones on which to focus, and how any interventions could be designed effectively and proportionately.

Find out more

Find out more about the digital markets competition regime and SMS investigations on the guidance page for how the UK’s digital markets competition regime works. If you have any questions about this consultation or the CMA’s investigation please contact us at searchsms@cma.gov.uk.

Page last updated: 27 Feb 2025, 01:01 PM