Google Was Found to Hold an Illegal Monopoly and Kept It Anyway. Is the Antitrust Nightmare Finally Over?

A federal judge confirmed Google operates an illegal ad-tech monopoly, a clear regulatory headwind for Alphabet. However, the judge refused to order a breakup at this stage, leaving the outcome dependent on what remedies follow in subsequent steps of the case. For Alphabet investors, the near-term impact is uncertain—negative from the ruling, but partially offset by the lack of immediate structural action.