What is an antitrust settlement and why does it matter for investors?

An antitrust settlement is a legal agreement that resolves competition law violations without going to trial. Google's settlement ended its exclusive contracts that made it the default search engine on devices, creating opportunities for competitors to gain market share and potentially increase their revenue and stock value.

How do default search engine contracts work?

Default search engine contracts are agreements where companies like Google pay device manufacturers and browser makers to make their search engine the automatic choice when users search. These contracts have been worth billions to Google but blocked competitors from reaching users easily.

What does 'market cap' mean and why is it important?

Market capitalisation (market cap) is the total value of a company's shares in the stock market, calculated by multiplying the share price by the number of shares outstanding. It helps investors understand a company's size and compare it to others in the same industry.

What is analyst rating and how should I interpret it?

Analyst rating is a professional assessment of a stock's potential performance, typically ranging from 'Strong Buy' to 'Strong Sell'. These ratings are based on financial analysis and market research, but they're opinions rather than guarantees of future performance.

How might this regulatory change affect the digital advertising market?

With more search engines competing for users, the digital advertising market could become more fragmented and competitive. This might lead to better rates for advertisers and new revenue opportunities for alternative search platforms that gain market share.

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Alternative Search Investments After Google 2025

Following a landmark antitrust ruling, Google must alter its exclusive contracts, creating a new competitive landscape for online search. This theme focuses on rival search engines and browsers positioned to gain market share from this regulatory shift.

Han Tan | Market Analyst

Updated today | Published at September 5