Google will be required to address Yelp’s antitrust claims as a court has dismissed Google’s attempt to throw out the case entirely. This development adds another layer of complexity to the challenges Google faces concerning its search and advertising monopolies. The Northern District Court of California has permitted Yelp’s primary allegations in its case against Google to proceed.

Yelp’s representative announced that Judge Van Keulen rejected Google’s motion to dismiss during a recent court hearing. The judge acknowledged that Yelp had presented credible allegations of Google’s monopolistic power and exclusionary practices within the established legal timeframe. Aaron Schur, Yelp’s General Counsel, expressed optimism about the ruling, stating that it is a significant step in the case.

He emphasized that “Google’s anticompetitive behavior deserves to be examined” and looks forward to illustrating the detrimental effects of Google’s dominance on consumers, innovation, and fair competition. This lawsuit is not new; it was initiated in August of the previous year when Yelp formally accused Google of monopolistic practices. At that time, Yelp’s CEO remarked on how Google leverages its search monopoly to confine users within its ecosystem, undermining rival websites.

Given the complexities of antitrust cases, more developments were anticipated, and now it appears the case will indeed proceed to trial, similar to several other legal battles involving Google. Moreover, Google is currently embroiled in a three-week remedies trial related to its search monopoly after previously losing a case, and it recently faced setbacks in an advertising monopoly lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice. These ongoing legal issues underscore the scrutiny the tech giant is under regarding its business practices.