September 22, 2026  |  SIGN UP

Ronan Shields
SENIOR REPORTER, AD TECH

In theory, the Google ad tech antitrust ruling was about letting others in, not letting Google off, but are there workarounds? 

That was the key question many posed, as the rulings focused on just what terms Google would have to agree to after it escaped a forced divestiture of its ad tech assets midway through last week. 

Much attention has also focused on the proposed mechanisms to ensure Google’s compliance with the judgment. The independent overseer bodies, dubbed “the monitor” and “the technical committee,” will likely face scrutiny in the coming weeks, months and years. 

However, as Jay Friedman, cofounder of Cartograph, told Digiday, "The reason expert testimony was needed in this case is that the complexity and ability to obfuscate non-compliance are equally high.

"Buyers should ask themselves, ‘If I wanted to comply with the letter of this ruling yet still maintain an advantage, could I?’ Their answer should instruct them on how to proceed going forward." Friedman said. 

ADVERTISEMENT

GOOGLE ON TRIAL

Can adland realistically reduce its reliance on Google’s vertically integrated ad stack?

In theory, the Google ad tech antitrust ruling was about letting others in, not letting Google off, but are there workarounds?

RETAIL MEDIA REWRITTEN

The case for and against retail media networks as brand-building channels

The original pitch of retail media networks was to find shoppers while they’re shopping and make the sale. Now that RMNs have accomplished that, they're trying to convince advertisers (and more of their wallets) that they can build their brands on their respective channels.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM ZETA GLOBAL 

Why the CMO must become a true business leader again

The CMO was once a partner to the CEO, focused on customers, margins and growth. That connection eroded as marketing lost sight of business metrics. Now, marketing must rebuild credibility to match its responsibility.

CONTENT & COMMERCE 

Pinterest unveils new suite of ad tools, including Visual Search Ads, in its pitch to brands

The features, revealed at “Pinterest Presents” on Tuesday, will roll out in the coming weeks. One offering, called Visual Search Ads, allows brands to prominently advertise their products in search results and in Pin close-ups, or Pins that people click on. 

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM AFFINITY

Live session: Why CTV is more than an awareness-only channel

Register for this webinar on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. ET for insights into how marketers are compressing the CTV-to-conversion journey and driving measurable performance.

Register now

MARKETING ON PLATFORMS

Google debuts 'ad detection tool,' letting marketers better assess ad experiences in Chrome

Google has announced new ad-detection tools in its Chrome User Experience Report, or "CrUX," to help paid media teams on both the buy- and sell-side better assess audiences' ad-load experiences.

GOOGLE ON TRIAL

Google’s ad tech remedies decoded: what changes, what doesn’t, and what will take years 

Google monopolized online advertising and the remedy is a code of conduct. 

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM PEER39

Verification dollars should improve the buy

Advertisers spend billions for a receipt after the fact. Reporting should prove a service delivered what it promised — and be part of the service, not another tax on working media.

PARTNER INSIGHTS FROM RAPTIVE

Virtual event: The most challenging era in media demands a more focused operating model