Google's Antitrust Trial: Implications for Ad Prices, A.I., and the Future

Google has quietly adjusted its advertising auctions to meet revenue targets, increasing the cost of ads and reserve pricing by up to 5% for the average advertiser. Some queries may have seen prices raised by as much as 10%, according to a Google Ad executive. The search engine does not inform advertisers about these pricing changes. This revelation has raised concerns about whether Google manipulates Smart Bidding for profit. Google is currently on trial for alleged antitrust violations, including using underhand tactics to maintain its dominance in the search industry.