U.S. Antitrust Case Against Google Zeroes In On ‘Tying’ Products

Government officials building an antitrust case against Google are investigating whether the company engages in tying, the practice of bundling different products together in a way that can block out competitors and give the seller an unfair advantage.

In recent months, the Justice Department and state attorneys general have asked executives at rival firms about the pricing and operations of Google’s Network division, according to people familiar with the discussions. This business sells services that handle almost every step a digital ad takes on its journey from a brand’s creative team to a consumer’s screen.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, speaks via videoconference during a congressional antitrust hearing in Washington on July 29, 2020.

Photographer: Graeme Jennings/Washington Examiner

The inquiries focus on ...