Home FTC Clears Google’s Acquisition of AdMob

FTC Clears Google’s Acquisition of AdMob

The Federal Trade Commission just cleared Google’s acquisition of mobile advertising network AdMob. According to the FTC, the acquisition raised “serious antitrust issues,” but these were ultimately overshadowed by Apple’s move to start its own mobile advertising network and the fact that Google has numerous other competitors in the mobile advertising space. The FTC voted 5-0 to close its investigation of Google’s acquisition.

After Google announced its intentions to acquire AdMob for $750 million last November, we noted that Google was definitely trying to dominate advertising on the iPhone and Android. Since then, however, the mobile advertising market has clearly changed. Apple acquired Quattro Wireless in January, and just a few weeks later Opera Mobile acquired AdMarvel. Apple also announced its own iAd network earlier this year, which will provide additional competition to Google.

In its decision (PDF), the FTC acknowledges these changes in the mobile advertising marketplace and notes that it “reached this decision based on important developments in the mobile advertising marketplace, particularly actions by Apple that should mitigate the anticompetitive effects of Google’s AdMob acquisition.” According to the FTC, the acquisition of AdMob isn’t likely to result in a “substantial lessening of competition.”

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.