If you’ve ever stared at Search Console CTR like it’s a mood ring for Google, you’re not alone. A lot of SEO advice still treats “more clicks” like a magic spell for rankings. But the September 2025 DOJ antitrust memo paints a way less dramatic (and way more useful) picture: clicks aren’t the boss of your rankings—they’re the raw ingredients. And raw ingredients don’t taste like dinner until Google cooks them into something else. Let’s talk about what that memo actually says,