A federal judge has ruled on the next phase of the Google antitrust case. Big changes are coming for exclusivity deals, search data sharing, and ad auction transparency. But Chrome stays with Google — no forced sale. In this breakdown, I explain what this means for advertisers, platforms, and buyers. From exclusivity ending, to SEMrush’s future opportunities, to how AI and SEO fit into the picture.

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00:00 – Intro: Part 2 of the Google antitrust ruling

01:05 –  Judge’s decision: Data sharing & exclusivity bans

02:20 – Chrome NOT being sold (why it’s a win for buyers)

03:45 – Exclusive deals with Apple & others ending

05:10 – Competitor data access: Search index & user data (not ads)

06:25 – What SEMrush & SEO platforms might do next

08:00 – AI Overview, AI Mode, & the future of answer engine optimization

09:30 – Ad auctions: Transparency vs smart bidding reality

11:20 – Small vs big advertisers: Who benefits in practice?

13:00 – Distribution payments: Why Mozilla relies on Google

14:25 – Potential new browsers (ChatGPT, Samsung, Apple)

15:40 – Google’s wins: No choice screens, no query data access, no new education program

17:10 – Final takeaways: Buyers win, exclusivity ends, no forced break-up