Small Businesses Express Concern Ahead of Google Ad Tech Remedies Trial

WASHINGTON (Sept. 18, 2025) — Small-business leaders voiced serious concerns ahead of the pending remedies phase of the United States v. Google LLC ad tech trial. Starting September 22, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema will hear remedy proposals from Google and the Department of Justice — including the DOJ’s radical proposal to break up Google’s ad exchange.

Cory Lee, CEO of Curb Free with Cory Lee, ad publisher:

“The current integrated ad ecosystem works because it’s simple and efficient for advertisers to purchase space on blogs like mine,” said Lee. “Google display ads are my primary revenue source, and keep content free for readers. The DOJ’s proposed breakup of Google’s ad tech tools threatens the system that allows my blog, and countless others, to succeed.”

Frankie DiCarlantonio, CEO of Scaffidi Restaurant Group, small-business owner:

“Digital display ads are affordable and effective — and they help my family-owned restaurant compete with larger restaurant chains that have million-dollar advertising budgets,” said DiCarlantonio. “Google’s ad exchange empowers small businesses nationwide to grow, compete, and succeed. Why disrupt a system that works so well for America’s small businesses?”

Salil Gandhi, CEO of SBO Buzz, digital marketing expert:

“The DOJ clearly doesn’t understand how valuable Google’s display ad tools are to small businesses,” said Gandhi. “In my work helping hundreds of small businesses grow and manage their online presence, I’ve found that Google’s display ad tools help small businesses reach the right audience simply and effectively. I often advise my small-business clients to use display ads as part of comprehensive campaigns.

“If the DOJ forces a breakup of Google’s ad tech tools, small businesses will be left scrambling for solutions — which are likely to be far more expensive to implement and less effective.”

Jeff Taxdahl, founder of Thread Logic, small-business owner:

“Google’s ad tech tools have helped me grow my custom-embroidery business from a mom-and-pop home-based startup into a national supplier of customized goods,” said Taxdahl. “With a few clicks, I can place display ads on websites and blogs where they’re seen by the right audiences — helping me generate sales with incredible efficiency.

“If Google’s ad tech tools are broken, it’s not clear what will take their place. A fragmented system would lack Google’s reach and efficiency, so we’d have to spend far more time managing multiple ad and analytics platforms. Our ads would be more expensive — but less effective. That’s a one-two punch for America’s businesses.”