A claim alleges Google’s search engine practices resulted in 65 million consumers being overcharged for everyday goods and services.
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Overview
A group claim has been launched against Google over how its search services work on smartphones in the UK.
The case says Google made it very hard for other search engines to compete by insisting its own apps were pre-installed and set as the default on most mobile phones. With less competition, Google was able to charge advertisers more than it should have been able to in a fair market.
The claim alleges that these extra advertising costs were not absorbed by the advertisers, but passed on to consumers through higher prices for everyday goods and services. And prices potentially went up everywhere — in shops and online.
That’s why you don’t need to have used Google search to be affected. If you’re aged 16 or over and bought goods or services in the UK from a business that advertised on Google Search between 1 January 2011 and 7 September 2023, you may have paid higher prices across everyday purchases.
Because most major supermarkets, banks, retailers and service providers advertise on Google, this could apply to most people in the UK.
If you meet the criteria, you don’t need to take any action for the claim to be brought on your behalf. If the claim is successful, compensation will be shared between eligible consumers, although you may need to register to receive your share.
The lawyers behind the case estimate compensation could be around £100 per person and that up to 65 million people across the UK may be affected.
Are you one of them? Check your eligibility and we’ll signpost you to the official claim site.
Google search claim – At a glance
What do we know about the Google search claim?
How it works
Answer a few simple questions to see if you could be included as part of the group claim.
Join the Claim will keep you up to date with any news or further information about the claim.
We will share details of the official claim website, so you can formally register your details.
Latest updates on the Google search claim
May 2026
A new proposed collective action is filed against Google in the UK. This time on behalf of advertisers.
The claim alleges Google abused its dominant position in display advertising by favouring its own advertising technology services while restricting competition from rivals.
Lawyers behind the case say this behaviour may have forced UK advertisers to pay inflated prices for display advertising services, including banner adverts shown on websites, apps and video platforms.
The proposed claim is seeking damages estimated at up to £3 billion and has been filed with the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal.
February 2026
Join the Claim begins raising public awareness so affected consumers understand what the claim is about, who may be included and how opt-out collective actions work. No compensation decisions have been made at this point.
November 2024
The Competition Appeal Tribunal gave the go-ahead for this claim to go ahead. Google had tried to have the lawsuit thrown out.
We’ll provide more updates on this claim as they occur.
Could you be due compensation in the Google search claim?
Find out if you meet the criteria for this group claim and potentially get a share of any compensation. It only takes a few minutes.
FAQs about the Google search claim
The claim says Google used its power on smartphones to block other search engines from competing fairly. By making its own search app the default on most phones, the claim argues Google was able to charge advertisers more than it should have been able to in a competitive market.
When businesses pay more to advertise, they don’t usually absorb the cost themselves. The claim says those higher advertising costs were built into prices more widely — meaning consumers ended up paying more for everyday goods and services, both online and in shops.
No. You don’t need to have searched on Google, clicked an advert, or even owned a smartphone. If you bought goods or services from a business that advertised on Google Search, the claim says you may have paid higher prices as a result.
You may be included if you:
Because most major supermarkets, banks, retailers and service providers advertise on Google, this could apply to most people in the UK.
This is an opt-out claim. This means you are automatically included in the group action, and could be due compensation, unless you say you don’t want to take part. A court-approved class representative brings the claim on behalf of the whole group, and specialist lawyers run the case in the interests of everyone included. Individual consumers are not assessed or contacted at this stage. Nevertheless, affected individuals will likely need to register to receive compensation when the claims site opens.
Not necessarily. If the claim is successful, the court will approve a process for sharing compensation. Eligible consumers usually need to register at that stage to receive their share.
There is no set amount yet. Any compensation would depend on the outcome of the case, how the court orders damages to be calculated, and how many eligible people come forward to claim.
A group action claim allows people affected by the same issue to take action together. This strength in numbers helps stand up to big organisations. Join the Claim helps connect people with law firms so these actions have a real impact.
No. Join the Claim is not a law firm. We explain what the ruling means, help you understand eligibility and signpost you to the official site.
Opt-out claims work differently to other types of legal action. If you are eligible, you are automatically included in the case unless you choose to opt out. There are no costs to be included in an opt-out claim. If the claim succeeds, deductions (if any) would be explained by the law firm responsible for distributing compensation.
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