Yelp sues Google for antitrust violations

Yelp sues Google for antitrust violations, accusing it of monopolizing local search services.

: Yelp has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging that the search giant has monopolized local search services by preferencing its own products. The suit comes after a federal judge ruled Google an illegal monopolist. Yelp seeks damages and an end to the alleged anticompetitive conduct. Google plans to defend itself, calling Yelp's claims meritless.

Yelp has initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Google, claiming that the tech giant has maintained its monopoly in local search services by preferentially directing users to its own products. Yelp's CEO, Jeremy Stoppelman, cites a recent DOJ win against Google as a significant motivator, highlighting shifting antitrust winds.

The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, seeks damages and a stop to the alleged anticompetitive behavior, demanding a jury trial. Yelp argues that Google's conduct reduces competition and harms the quality of local search services, ultimately disadvantaging both consumers and advertisers.

Google has dismissed Yelp's claims as baseless, referencing previous similar claims that were thrown out by courts. Yelp, however, points to Google's substantial year-on-year increase in search advertising revenue as evidence of its monopolistic practices.

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