SEARCH Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced
Summary
Open access to search results and ad data is the bill's core goal. The SEARCH Act of 2026 would require dominant search and advertising platforms to share data, stop self‑preferencing, and give users clear choice over default search tools.
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- Consumers would get mandatory choice screens at device setup and annually, a ban on preinstalled default search, and easier switching. A Public Education Fund could draw up to 0.05 percent of a covered platform's U.S. annual revenue to teach users about those choices.
- Smaller search providers and advertisers would gain access to search results and ad data through nondiscriminatory sharing and mandatory syndication at marginal cost. Advertisers would also get query‑level reporting, real‑time exports, and exact‑match keyword options.
- Covered platforms would face new limits on exclusivity and self‑preferencing, extra review of strategic deals, annual compliance certifications and officers, and enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general with penalties up to 15 percent of U.S. annual revenue.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New user choice and default rules
If enacted, covered platforms would have to show a neutral choice screen at device setup, browser install, or account creation and at least once a year. Competitors on the screen would be chosen by objective rules and shown in random order, and platforms would report impressions and selections via real‑time APIs. Platforms would add easy, permanent settings to switch default search providers and would be barred from preinstalling their own search as the default on new devices. The Commission could require covered platforms to fund user education with contributions up to 0.05% of U.S. revenue.
Deals review and stronger remedies
If enacted, covered platforms would need prior written Commission approval for major acquisitions or investments that exceed the Clayton Act size threshold or that give special control or exclusive access to a competitor. Platforms would also give at least 60 days' notice to State attorneys general before closing such deals. In Sherman Act cases under the bill, courts would be directed to order remedies that unwind the harm, end illegal monopolies, and not weigh effects outside the relevant market.
Open data and ad access rules
If enacted, covered platforms would have to share search results, indexes, ranking signals, and ad data with qualified rivals at marginal cost through machine‑readable APIs. Shared data would have personal identifiers and ZIP‑level location removed, be updated at least weekly, and be available for at least 10 years. Advertisers would get query‑level reports, real‑time campaign export, exact‑match and negative keyword options, and monthly reports of material ad auction changes. These data and licensing rules would start one year after a platform is covered.
Which search services are covered
If enacted, the bill would say which search and AI services are "covered platforms." A covered platform would be any U.S. search or AI provider that reaches at least 40% of people age 12 and older each month, measured by the most recent census. The bill would also define which rivals count as "qualified competitors" by a valuation test tied to a Clayton Act threshold. Any provider could file a sworn yearly declaration by March 31 saying it is not covered using monthly active user data or other research.
Compliance, reporting, and penalties
If enacted, covered platforms would need an internal compliance officer and must file a sworn annual compliance certification by March 31 listing any rules not fully met and monthly active user counts by month. Covered platforms must provide at least 10 hours of in‑person antitrust training each year to senior legal and executive staff; employees who skip it could face a civil penalty up to 10% of their annual pay. The FTC and State attorneys general could sue to enforce the law and the FTC could seek civil penalties up to 15% of a platform's U.S. annual revenue. Agency rules under the bill would follow the Administrative Procedure Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
MN • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 7/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov