If your business purchased advertising through Google's ad platforms between 2016 and 2025, you may be entitled to significant compensation via arbitration.

How significant? Federal antitrust law violations allow treble damages. And "treble" means "triple".

Some antitrust specialists believe Google is exposed to over $218 billion in damages. It is important to note this is not a class action and this is not a settlement fund, so there is no cap or limit to what Google must pay its harmed clients. Likewise, the awards that a business could receive are not diluted by the participation of other claimants. 

Background: The Court Ruled Google Illegally Monopolized Digital Advertising Market

In 2023, the US Department of Justice and 17 states filed a suit against Google alleging the company monopolized the online advertising market. Following a three-week bench trial and a series of post-trial pleadings, Judge Leonie Brinkema of the District of Columbia ruled that Google violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act. She wrote, "By forcing Google's publisher customers to use a product they would not necessarily have otherwise used, by making it difficult for rival publisher ad servers to compete on the merits, and by significantly reducing rivals' market share, the typing of [Google Ad products] DFP to AdX has had a substantial anticompetitive effect in the publisher and server market for open-web display advertising."

Judge Brinkema found Google commited such violations by:

• Illegally monopolizing the publisher ad server market (DoubleClick for Publishers/Google Ad Manager)
• Illegally monopolizing the ad exchange market (Google AdX) 
• Unlawfully tying its ad server to its ad exchange to eliminate competition
• Charging supracompetitive prices – taking 20% of each transaction, far exceeding competitive rates

These violations allowed Google to overcharge advertisers and publishers for years through a “series of mutually reinforcing practices and policies”. 

How Did Google Monopolize the Market?

Google acquired several firms on both sides of the online advertising marketplace. Through their extensive ownership of both sides of the market, advertisers and publishers alike paid higher transaction fees on advertisements.

Why File a Claim Now?

• Statutes of limitation apply: You have a limited time to assert your rights. We are working with attorneys adept in arbitration who intend to prepare claims by September 30, 2026.
• Court has already found violations: Recent rulings strengthen your claim (which also include a ruling in a DOJ suit alleging monopolistic practices pertainng to Google search).
• Treble damages available: Federal law allows for triple the amount of overcharges.
• No upfront costs: Claims are handled on a contingency fee basis.

How We Can Help

We’ll work with you to determine if you qualify. To complete our confidential eligibility form, we’ll need:

• Your business information
• Approximate total Google advertising spend during the period of 2016-2025
• Documentation supporting spend (i.e. accounting journal entries through QuickBooks or actual billing statements available through your Google AdWords account)
• Types of Google ad products used (AdWords, Display Network, Ad Manager, etc.)

For more information or help, give us a call at (312) 204-6969 or send us an email.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a class action settlement?

A: No. These are individual arbitration claims based on the court’s findings that Google violated federal antitrust laws. Your recovery is based on your specific damages.

Q: Why arbitration and not a class action?  

A: Google’s terms of service require advertisers to use the mechanism of arbitration to recover damages.

Q: What if I am a publisher and an advertiser?

A: You will need to file an arbitration claim for your advertising activities. There is an ongoing class action lawsuit for the publisher class.

Q: How is this different from the $100M AdWords settlement?

A: That settlement covered a different case (2004-2012 geographic targeting overcharges). This case involves Google’s monopolization of the ad tech market and affects a broader range of advertisers and publishers.

Q: Should I stop using Google Ads to file a claim?

A: No. You can file a claim and continue advertising with Google.  

Q: How long will this take?

A: Arbitration can take time. What state you are in and the availability of an arbitrator will be the main factors. The process could take approximately 12-24 months.

Q: Is there a cost to file?

A: No upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee basis – you only pay if you recover compensation.

Q: Is CCC a law firm?

A: No, we are a claims recovery firm. We help identify your eligibility and assemble the information needed to file.  The actual arbitration will be handled by a trusted outside law firm.