Topic: United States antitrust law

SearchCap: The Day In Search, January 29, 2014

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: People, Videos, News: Twitter Adds New Search Filters Earlier today Twitter announced that it was bringing a number of new search filters to the site. These include: people, photos, videos, news. […]

Report: Google Close (Again) To EU Antitrust Settlement

The third time may be the charm. According to Reuters Google is (once again) “close to settling a three-year antitrust probe by European regulators after it offered ‘much better’ concessions” to the European Commission (EC). However Google has been here before. Two previous antitrust settlements were strenuously opposed and thus defeated by Google critics and competitors. […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, January 15, 2014

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: EU Wants More Search Concessions, Google Defies French Authority Round and round she goes. The European Commission is seeking a final round of “concessions” from Google in an 11th hour effort […]

EU Wants More Search Concessions, Google Defies French Authority

Round and round she goes. The European Commission is seeking a final round of “concessions” from Google in an 11th hour effort to settle potential antitrust claims against the company. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia made public statements asserting that Google needs to deliver additional, revised proposals within weeks to avoid a formal antitrust proceeding. […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, December 20, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: England’s Lulworth Cove Tops Bing’s List Of Most Popular 2013 Homepage Images Bing has released its ten most popular homepage images of the year, with England’s Lulworth Cove off of the […]

EU: Google Antitrust Concessions “Unacceptable” As Second Study Condemns “Rival Links”

European Union competition commissioner Joaquin Almunia announced Friday in a Spanish radio interview that Google’s second round of concessions in its current antitrust settlement proposal were “unacceptable.” The main obstacle to settlement is still Google’s treatment of competitors and its “own content” in “vertical search” results. Almunia was directly involved in negotiating the original settlement proposal […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, December 16, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: The 2013 Bing Infographic In Text Format: Bing Indexes A Lot Of Social Content Bing posted their 2013 highlights on the Bing Search Blog, summarizing some key statistics they wanted to […]

Canada’s Competition Bureau Escalates Google Antitrust Investigation

Canada’s Competition Bureau (CCB) has indicated that it will proceed with a formal antitrust investigation against Google. The CCB had been engaged in a preliminary inquiry. A new CCB court filing requests a range of documents that will potentially show, according to the CCB, Google’s alleged abuse of market power and anti-competitive behavior in Canada. […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, December 13, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: New Bing Ads Solution Center at Search Engine Land We are pleased to announce the launch of the Bing Ads Solutions Center, a resource for digital marketers and search advertisers, in […]

Sponsored Study Argues Google’s “Rival Links” Don’t Drive Enough CTRs To Rivals

Google’s original antitrust settlement proposal, negotiated with the European Commission, was attacked by Google competitors and critics as being a token concession to competition. Anti-Google lobbying group FairSearch.org sponsored a consumer study that argued Google’s presentation of three “rival links” to competitors in search results did little to drive traffic to competitors’ websites. In September Google presented a […]

Yahoo Tells SEC: 31% Of Our Revenue Comes From Microsoft

Yahoo has revealed in a US Securities & Exchange Commission filing that nearly one-third of its revenue last quarter — 31% — came from its search deal with Microsoft, according to a Bloomberg report. That’s far higher than the “more than 10%” figure Yahoo previously acknowledged, making it seem even more difficult for the company […]

Consumer Watchdog Says Google Shopping Costs Consumers, Complains To FTC

Consumer Watchdog has lodged a new complaint about Google’s “search monopoly” with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), this time saying Google Shopping results don’t pass the sniff test. The group calls the way the search engine displays its Product Listing ads “deceptive and unfair”, adding that Google Shopping’s paid listings are price gouging consumers. […]

European Publishers File New Antitrust Complaints Over Google News & Images

European newspapers, magazines and photographers are not happy with Google and how their content and images are shown in the Google search results. IDG News reports Google was slapped with a new antitrust complaint over Google Images. EMMA wrote that newspapers and magazines are “extremely concerned by the Commission’s on-going assessment of the new set […]

Google To Get EU “Watchdog” As Part Of Antitrust Settlement

The New York Times is reporting that as part of the anticipated antitrust settlement in Europe Google is likely to be subject to a “watchdog” overseer. This role is explained in a “96-page [job] description” according to the paper: Among the details of the job: The title is monitoring trustee. And although the salary remains […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, October 28, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Dear Google Rivals: Do These New Proposals Solve Your Antitrust Concerns? Love, The EU Three years into its investigation of Google over antitrust issues, the European Union took another step closer […]

Dear Google Rivals: Do These New Proposals Solve Your Antitrust Concerns? Love, The EU

Three years into its investigation of Google over antitrust issues relating to search, the European Union took another step closer toward a likely resolution, asking Google rivals and other third-parties to review a settlement proposal. Notably, the general public wasn’t invited to participate. The news comes via several reports today. The European Union’s Competition agency posted […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, October 1, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Maps Roundup: Google Avoids Waze Antitrust Fight, Scout Social Mapping, deCarta Route Patent Google spent just over $1 billion to take Waze away from Facebook, Apple or Nokia and Microsoft. It […]

New Google Antitrust Offer A “Significant Improvement” Says EU

After Google’s competitors loudly complained about the company’s antitrust settlement proposal, which displayed three “rival links” to alternative’ search results, European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said it would take new “concessions” for Google to successfully settle its antitrust case with Europe. Google has now reportedly made those concessions. Almunia characterized Google’s updated settlement offer, submitted last […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, September 9, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Google Adds Automatic Authorship With Google+ Sign In Google announced an even easier way to get your picture into the Google search results by adding automatic author attribution through Google+ signin. […]

New Concessions From Google Seek To Avoid EU Antitrust Penalties

According to Reuters the European Commission (EC) says Google has submitted a new settlement proposal with “further concessions” in its bid to end the antitrust inquiry against the company. If the parties fail to reach agreement the EC has the ability to fine Google a percentage of its global revenues. That penalty could be as […]

Google Adds Waze Traffic To Maps App, Search To Waze

The first “synergies” from Google’s Waze acquisition are being rolled out to both Google Maps and Waze users. Google announced this morning in a blog post that real-time Waze traffic updates will appear in the Google Maps app (for iOS, Android): Users of Google Maps for Mobile will now benefit from real time incident reports […]

Will Google’s Expected $1.3 Billion Waze Acquisition Be Allowed?

Early yesterday, Israeli business website Globes.co.il said that Google will acquire social mapping app Waze for $1.3 billion. That report has subsequently been all-but-confirmed by others, including the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which said the announcement could come this week. The WSJ said that by size Waze would constitute Google’s fourth largest acquisition, assuming it comes to pass. […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, May 28, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Getting Away From Our PPC Campaigns This Summer Having just finished marching in three parades and playing Taps at Memorial Day observances to honor our deceased veterans, I find myself looking […]

EU Says More Google “Concessions” Needed Before Antitrust Settlement

The vigorous lobbying efforts of Google critics FairSearch.org and Foundem’s SearchNeutrality.org seem to be paying off. Earlier today EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told members of the European Parliament that additional “concessions” would probably be required of Google to settle the antitrust investigation against the company and avoid litigation and potential financial penalties. According to […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, May 7, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Google Maps To Get A Major Design Overhaul Alex Chitu reports Google is testing a new Google Maps interface, possibly to be launched next week at Google I/O. The new interface […]

Google Wins Vertical Search Antitrust Case In Germany

In a German case that could have broader antitrust implications in Europe, Google defeated a petition for an injunction brought by a German online weather trade group, Verband Deutscher Wetterdienstleister. The case is interesting because it involves a private antitrust action against Google and directly addresses the “search bias” argument made by Google critics. The […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, April 25, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Enterprise SEO Tools 2013: A Buyer’s Guide Are you responsible for SEO in your large organization? Wondering about tools that can help automate and cut the time it takes to manage […]

Google’s New European “Antitrust” Search Results: Here’s What They’ll Look Like

I’ve found documents associated with the Google-EU settlement proposal that offer mock-ups of how the new, regulated SERPs will look. It’s very interesting and greatly clarifies the settlement terms and how they will be implemented practically. These mockups look quite different (and less “disruptive”) than what I imagined. There are three basic scenarios: where Google […]

EU Goes Public With Google Antitrust Proposals, “Market Test” FAQs

The EU released documents this morning that detail Google’s antitrust settlement proposals and explain the Competition Commission’s position on various aspects of the investigation. First here’s what the EU says Google has proposed: Google offers for a period of 5 years to: (i) – label promoted links to its own specialised search services so that […]

Is Google’s Antitrust Settlement Offer To Europe Dead On Arrival?

The European Union has “accepted” Google’s formal antitrust settlement proposal — subject to “market testing.” As a practical matter, that means EU Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia is circulating it among Google’s critics and competitors for reaction. However, there has already been plenty of (negative) reaction based on the information that came out last week in […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, April 15, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: 2013 Boston Marathon Explosion: Official Information Sources Following today’s explosions at the Boston Marathon, social media channels were immediately swamped with reports and graphic images, videos from the scene. Race officials […]

Google’s EU Antitrust Settlement Includes Labeling, Mandatory Competitive Links And Third Party Enforcement

The proposed terms of the Google antitrust settlement in Europe have started to come to light, first through a report in the Financial Times, and this weekend, in articles from the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. As anticipated, the primary “remedy” Google is offering involves labeling its own results to distinguish them from third-party […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, April 12, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: New Bing Feature Lets Users Pin Images To Pinterest Straight From Image Search Page Bing announced today a new “Pin to Pinterest” feature that allows users to pin Bing image search […]

Google (Finally) Gives EU A Formal Settlement Proposal As UK Mapping Rival Files Anti-Competitive Suit

Google has formally submitted its antitrust settlement proposal to the EU. Wait, didn’t that happen weeks ago? Apparently, it did not. While the parties have been talking for months (seems like years), Bloomberg reported today that Google had “formalized” its settlement proposal to avoid potential fines and other penalties. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia is now […]

SearchCap: The Day In Search, April 9, 2013

Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: The Date: Enhanced Campaigns Rollover Starts July 22 Paid search managers: mark your calendars. Buried toward the bottom of today’s announcement on ad group-level mobile bids becoming available in enhanced campaigns […]

EU Leans Toward “Labeling” To Resolve Antitrust Claims Against Google

Those hoping for aggressive regulation or changes in the way Google conducts its search business in Europe will likely be disappointed. A new interview with EU Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia hints at settlement proposals and remedies now being considered in the Google antitrust case. And, they will probably look a lot like what came out of […]