A federal judge has ruled that contracts putting Google — including its traditional search engine and AI-powered search/assistant apps — as the default on devices such as smartphones and browsers can no longer be multi-year deals. Instead, all default-placement agreements must now be renegotiated every 12 months.

Under the new order: Google may still pay device makers or browser developers for default placement, but exclusivity and long-term lock-ins are forbidden.  The ruling also extends to AI services and generative-AI apps, not just traditional search.

This follows a broader antitrust finding earlier (2024) that Google had illegally maintained a monopoly in search via exclusive default-placement deals.

What this means in practice:

Rivals — including newer search engines and AI-powered browsers — get a regular opportunity (once a year) to compete for default slots that were once locked for years.

Google’s dominance via default status is weakened: device makers or browser developers can reconsider which search/AI service they ship as default more often.

The ruling could spur innovation and competition — especially among generative-AI search products — by lowering the barrier to default placement.
This change could mark a turning point in how users discover and access search — potentially reducing the grip of long-standing incumbents and giving newer players a shot at visibility.