I wasn’t aware that Google accounted for 95% of the search market share in Europe. Is Microsoft just angry that they can’t chip away at that number like they have in States? Can you fault Google for doing search better?

Google’s dominance is fair. It has become the dominant search engine because it is the best in the business. The key question is whether they are abusing their dominance by squeezing out smaller competitors. The EU believes there is a case to answer. The US regulatory authorities may take a different stance.

I love Bing!!! Ever since I discovered it a while back, the search results are almost dead on. Google is a giant for sure, I am not qualified to know if they are using deceptive practices to monopolize the market. However, I do know, that if Bing gets more exposure, that it will do quite well. At least that is my 2cents worth.

This shows what a joke antitrust has become. There are minimal barriers to entry in the world of search engines. Google stays the best not by blocking others, but by constantly innovating, testing, etc.

If the role of antitrust is to protect bloated Microsoft from nimble Google, then we’re all in trouble.

I have always believed that googles prominence on the market is unfair. They can do what they like when ever they like and no one can stop them.
There is no other company in the world which would be controlling such a massive share on world wide market yet in the past noone was asking any questions and it is about time someone does!
The fact they are attempting to buy everything and everyone what just might effect their prominence is on its own case for case for unfair trading!
They are dictating prices on PPC making billions in process yet cost of such advertising for google is next to nothing.
It will be very long law suite but im sure google will in the end loose!

Whatever you might think about Google’s dominance in the search market it is a bit rich of Microsoft to complain about it considering the monopoly they have and the means they use to try and maintain it in the operating/office software market.

If it’s the case that Google dominates search it’s probably as they do it better than Bing and the others although they are not entirely blameless in all they attempt to do.

I sometimes wonder in a capitalistic world that trumpets market forces as the best for competition, customer choice and efficient use of capital to grow economies why it’s not left to it’s one devices to get on with it rather than needing governments to step in every so often to ‘level the playing field’.

Are monopolies bad per se or only when they don’t appear to deliver for what appears to be for the greater good? Is it a fallacy then that market forces might not be the best model for expanding, developing and sustaining economic growth?

The obvious danger Microsoft sees in the purchase is that Microsoft’s pages, which deal with the prices of Air-travel, shopping, and travel in general, are powered by Ita.

And, of course, what we concumers see is that thirty major airlines depend on Ita to help them set their prices.

If Google buys Ita the search related resources coupled with the powerful software that both tracks and sets travel related prices for many companies, we may well find ourselves needing to purchae all travel materials and tickets through Google-Ita, at prices set by Google.

Some scrutiny now, will probably save us from intense Goverenment regulation -or from dominance over all information, and all prices related to travel, by a single overlord of a company.

Of course, the powerful technologies of Google and Ita might also make our choices better, especially in the hands of the benevolent and self-effacing company known as Google. Nonetheless, the US FTC and the European Commission are already looking at Google’s Monopolistic practices. Perhaps they do not trust in Google’s Supreme Benevolence.
Neither do I.

I do not doubt that Bing and other SE’s are gaining traffic. G SE isn’t as spammy anymore, a plus but is proving difficult to find in-depth ‘information’ anymore about some ordinary topic. Results to some business profile doesn’t really help answer questions. Not everybody is up to talking with a CEO or Jane Doe of some big corporation or business for a simple question. People are switching to alternative SE’s.

I really surprised there is such a thing a fair share of anything. Your fair share is what you work for and earn. If you produce the best product you will dominate your field. Google should not be punished for being the best.

We all live in the dark while monopolies kill middle class America and the quality of life all Americans deserve. The FACT is Google is now squeezing out the smaller companies while capitalizing or selling to the highest bidder the real estate space they call “Search Results” page. Just like Wall Street, bankers, and politicians, they are in it for greed. Please rent or buy the Academy Award Winning movie “Inside Job” and DO NOT COME CRYING to me when your out of a job and buying shit at Wal-mart and Amazon to save a dollar. That dollar you saved used to go to a small business owner and his/her family and enriched their lives as middle class Americans. Google, continue to whore out your results page to the highest bidder because only Wal-mart and Wall Street can afford to be there. Good bye America as we know it. Kevin