R-Day is coming for Google Chrome, and web browsing world may never be the same.

A federal judge is preparing to issue remedies for Google’s search engine monopoly after the Department of Justice won its antitrust case against Alphabet Inc. last year. Among the potential solutions is forcing Google to divest Chrome, a central component of its $26 billion annual business.

The antitrust case extended far beyond search defaults and browser deals—including Google’s revenue-sharing agreement with Apple Inc. that generates $20 billion annually. The core issue was whether one company should control the digital infrastructure that powers search, advertising, and artificial intelligence.

The fate of Chrome, the world’s most-used browser with an estimated 3.5 billion users, remains uncertain. If divestiture occurs, potential buyers have emerged: Perplexity AI floated a $34.5 billion offer that many have dismissed, while OpenAI and Search.com have expressed interest. More likely, a private equity group would acquire it and rebuild a browser-based business model.

Ted Sfikas, field chief technology officer at Amplitude, considers Chrome or Android divestiture unlikely. More probable remedies include forcing Google to share search results or spinning off its AdX ad exchange and DFP ad server. Regulators have already accused Google of manipulating auctions in these systems to disadvantage competitors. “Cutting those off would target the execution of its monopoly rather than its natural dominance,” Sfikas said.

AI Challengers Emerge

The Google-Apple arrangement has dominated search for decades, wielding outsized influence over internet navigation. But the DOJ victory, pending remedies, and shifting browser usage patterns in the AI era signal major changes ahead for this highly visible industry segment.

During remedy hearings in May, Apple executive Eddy Cue testified that Google’s market grip was loosening as millions of users migrated from search engines to AI chatbots.

Advanced search tools that blend conversational AI with query results have boosted interest and sales for companies like Perplexity, GPT Search, and Komo. These firms may eventually build or acquire their own browsers to compete more effectively, though browser value declines when the underlying AI matters more than the browser itself.

Some argue Google is following the same path, having leveraged search wealth to develop its Gemini chatbot and DeepMind research division. Sfikas believes Gemini will retain user loyalty.

Wall Street analysts and economists expect Google to prevail regardless of the judge’s decision. Barclays analysts said this month that even if Google loses exclusive contracts and payments, it will be “nearly impossible” for smaller companies to compete.

Google users remain remarkably loyal even when alternatives exist. Despite the European Commission’s ruling against Google, the company’s market share barely moved, still hovering around 90% according to StatCounter data.

However, if U.S. regulators force Google to spin off AdX and DFP, or if AI search firms gain access to Gemini’s training data, the market could rebalance faster than expected. A divested Chrome would accelerate this shift by democratizing the data layer and giving smaller vendors opportunities to build superior AI solutions.