Brussels 'to force Google to change way it presents results'

[Heath]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...s-results.html

The European Union?s competition chief, Joaquin Almunia, said it is his ?conviction? that Google is unfairly promoting links to its own services above those of third party companies, and that he fears it is abusing its dominant position.

Google has been locked in a long-running row over whether it has changed its search results to give preferential treatment to links to its own services, at the expense of those from competitors.

Last week US regulators gave Google the all-clear, but Mr Almunia, who is heading up a Brussels? investigation into the matter, made it clear that he will take the opposite stance.

?We are still investigating, but my conviction is [Google is] diverting traffic,? he told the Financial Times.

?They are monetising this kind of business, the strong position they have in the general search market...This is not only a dominant position, I think ? I fear ? there is an abuse of this dominant position.?

[woj]

don't these government clowns have better things to do, they spend their whole days trying to come up with some excuse to squeeze some easy $$ out of companies... google will probably get fined $100M over it, letting some stupid department run for another year...

[AllAboutCams]

Google will do anything they want

[BIGTYMER]

Fuck Google. It needs to be broken up like Bell Systems.

[96ukssob]

Who gives a fuck, it's their products and your using their site!

Google just has to say that their sites rank better organically, case closed. Fuck everyone else lololol

[Barry-xlovecam]

Google's market share in the EU is over 90%.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/te...tion.html?_r=0
link added

[Heath]

I wonder how many people would think its ok to have their companies broke up if they became to successful at it...

IMO its pathetic for governments to say 'oh you're far to successful, lets break you up'. Imagine if they applied that same standard to countries...

[Dirty F]

Uhm Who are they to tell what Google can list and what not?

[Rochard]

Um....

Google is unfairly promoting links to its own services above those of third party companies...

Let me just through this out there, but isn't that what Google SHOULD be doing? I mean, that's just business sense.

Years ago we blasted Microsoft because it was an "unfair advantage" that a computer would come pre-installed with their browser. Well, Kudos for M$ and shame on Firefox for not having the same. When I bought my Jaguar from the dealership, they didn't come to me and ask what brand of tires I wanted. Firestore and Michelin don't have the legal right to bitch at Jaguar for not offering their tires on their cars.

This is just people bitching about being second best.

Google doesn't make money by putting other people's products before their own.

[Antonio]

monopolists should be bitch-slapped every now and then, otherwise things would get out of control; have you noticed how the youtube videos "naturally" rank on page one for every other keyword

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by Antonio

monopolists should be bitch-slapped every now and then, otherwise things would get out of control; have you noticed how the youtube videos "naturally" rank on page one for every other keyword

Nobody is forcing you to use Google. It's their site and can list what they want.

[Klen]

Originally Posted by Dirty F

Nobody is forcing you to use Google. It's their site and can list what they want.

It doesn't work that way

[PornDiscounts-V]

So make some youtube videos and make bank!

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by Dirty F

Nobody is forcing you to use Google. It's their site and can list what they want.

Then if they decide to sell nuclear bombs online, the EU should just sit back and let them do whatever they want because it's their site and they can list whatever they want. If they want to operate in the EU, they should play by the EU rules just like a EU company would have to play by the US rules if they want to do business over there, pretty straightforward if you ask me

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by Antonio

Then if they decide to sell nuclear bombs online, the EU should just sit back and let them do whatever they want because it's their site and they can list whatever they want. If they want to operate in the EU, they should play by the EU rules just like a EU company would have to play by the US rules if they want to do business over there, pretty straightforward if you ask me

Wtf are you talking about? Nuclear bombs?
Wrong thread?

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by Dirty F

Wtf are you talking about? Nuclear bombs?
Wrong thread?

my bad, I keep assuming that most GFYers have triple digit IQ - I'll keep it short this time:

if they want to do business in the EU, they will have to play by the EU rules

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by Antonio

my bad, I keep assuming that most GFYers have triple digit IQ - I'll keep it short this time:

if they want to do business in the EU, they will have to play by the EU rules

Where does the EU law say you can't list your own company on top of your own site?

[Heath]

Originally Posted by Dirty F

Where does the EU law say you can't list your own company on top of your own site?

They don't.. Just for Google these will be the rules.

A lot of the people who support breaking up companies like Google, are the same people who agree with socialist policies, and walk around screaming 'its not fair...' all the time.

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by bossku69

Who gives a fuck, it's their products and your using their site!

this.. I'm from EU and I see that those fuckers at Brussels have nothing better to do than to squeeze more money out of successful businesses

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by Populace

They don't.. Just for Google these will be the rules.

A lot of the people who support breaking up companies like Google, are the same people who agree with socialist policies, and walk around screaming 'its not fair...' all the time.

Yup, i bet.

[bluebook18]

Google really hate porn nowadays.

[notinmybackyard]

Google is the world's biggest pirate search engine and more unethical than a Wall street banker.

Google should also get it's ass back behind the borders of the united states. They break thousands of laws every single day and get away with it because of their deep connections in the United States gouvernment and Defense departments A.I. reseach. Bref they are just another tool of colonialism.

Therefore, every nation should create it's own search engine to reflect the needs and culture of their own people.

Personally like almost everyone else in the world that is a sain non-americain, I am tired of being dictated to by one nation's whims while simultaneously being denied any benefit.

Give google hell Brussels !!

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by notinmybackyard

Google is the world's biggest pirate search engine and more unethical than a Wall street banker.

Google should also get it's ass back behind the borders of the united states. They break thousands of laws every single day and get away with it because of their deep connections in the United States gouvernment and Defense departments A.I. reseach. Bref they are just another tool of colonialism.

Therefore, every nation should create it's own search engine to reflect the needs and culture of their own people.

Personally like almost everyone else in the world that is a sain non-americain, I am tired of being dictated to by one nation's whims while simultaneously being denied any benefit.

Give google hell Brussels !!

I take it you block all traffic from google to your site?

[notinmybackyard]

Originally Posted by Dirty F

I take it you block all traffic from google to your site?

I still sell DVDs.. I have nothing on line.
And if someone wants to see my catalog they can contact me directly.

(( And before you ask... I originally came here because of stop file lockers. I stick around because I like to see who is who and to stay informed))

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by Populace

They don't.. Just for Google these will be the rules.

"Under EU law, very large market shares raise a presumption that a firm is dominant.... If a firm has a dominant position, then there is "a special responsibility not to allow its conduct to impair competition on the common market.

A refusal to supply a facility which is essential for all businesses attempting to compete to use can constitute an abuse."


Makes perfect sense to me - as for whether it's fair or not, I'd say Brussels bitch-slapping Google is perfectly fair.


.

[Kolargol]

Originally Posted by Populace

I wonder how many people would think its ok to have their companies broke up if they became to successful at it...

IMO its pathetic for governments to say 'oh you're far to successful, lets break you up'. Imagine if they applied that same standard to countries...

Sometimes companies that have monopoly block market and governments have to react. Economy is much more complex that "it's mine, get the fuck out". AT&T is probably a good example.

[notinmybackyard]

Originally Posted by Antonio

"Under EU law, very large market shares raise a presumption that a firm is dominant.... If a firm has a dominant position, then there is "a special responsibility not to allow its conduct to impair competition on the common market.

A refusal to supply a facility which is essential for all businesses attempting to compete to use can constitute an abuse."


Makes perfect sense to me - as for whether it's fair or not, I'd say Brussels bitch-slapping Google is perfectly fair.


.

Also consider that this is the new face of americain colonialism.

Google, an american company, controls how people acces information and even what information people get to see. Under international convention and laws, interferring or controling any nation's essential communications (gouvernement, etc) is considered an act of espionage. Interferiance or control of the communications of the populace of another nation is considered an act of war.


I think what is happening right now is many gouvernments are trying to find ways to push back against it. They are just searching for a way to do it with out a direct confrontation with the United States

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by notinmybackyard

Google, an american company, controls how people acces information and even what information people get to see.

Sure, and if someone visits my site i control what information that person sees.
BUT nobody is forced to use my site like nobody is forced to use Google.

[arock10]

Originally Posted by Dirty F

Sure, and if someone visits my site i control what information that person sees.
BUT nobody is forced to use my site like nobody is forced to use Google.

If you have a 90% market share on search (ie accessing information) and you were skewing the results to unfairly favor your sites then yes there would be a problem.

Google started listing sfw sites for nsfw terms much more with its penguin update last year. Sfw sites can run Adsense, nsfw can't. So in theory google is favoring sfw and its other sites to increase profits even if they really aren't the best match.

IMO googles updates for nearly the past year are worse for smaller players in this industry then any tube sites now. Before you could get ranked for some niche terms, now it's just 50 YouTube videos....

[pornmasta]

[MrCain]

Making up stupid rules and enforcing them is what the EU is all about.

[Dirty F]

Originally Posted by MrCain

Making up stupid rules and enforcing them is what the EU is all about.

Yup, it's sickening.

[pornmasta]

Meanwhile in spain:

[jigg]

Google's well documented shenanigans
http://www.seobook.com/google-wins

[woj]

Originally Posted by arock10

If you have a 90% market share on search (ie accessing information) and you were skewing the results to unfairly favor your sites then yes there would be a problem.

Google started listing sfw sites for nsfw terms much more with its penguin update last year. Sfw sites can run Adsense, nsfw can't. So in theory google is favoring sfw and its other sites to increase profits even if they really aren't the best match.

IMO googles updates for nearly the past year are worse for smaller players in this industry then any tube sites now. Before you could get ranked for some niche terms, now it's just 50 YouTube videos....

they have high market share, not because of some natural monopoly, but because they actually have a decent product.... there is nothing stopping anyone from competing with them... it's not even in the same ballpark as the att example someone brought up earlier, setting up a business like att requires ridiculous investment in infrastructure... setting up a search engine requires close to zero investment....

but either way, so just don't do business with them, no? block google bot, and problem solved...

[jigg]

Originally Posted by Populace

I wonder how many people would think its ok to have their companies broke up if they became to successful at it...

IMO its pathetic for governments to say 'oh you're far to successful, lets break you up'. Imagine if they applied that same standard to countries...

yeah because it's ok to have a monopoly that lies, cheats and enforces rules selectively

[jigg]

Originally Posted by woj

they have high market share, not because of some natural monopoly, but because they actually have a decent product.... there is nothing stopping anyone from competing with them... it's not even in the same ballpark as the att example someone brought up earlier, setting up a business like att requires ridiculous investment in infrastructure... setting up a search engine requires close to zero investment....

but either way, so just don't do business with them, no? block google bot, and problem solved...

so let's say decent product is why they have market share, that excuses their behavior and should get them a pass?

[Heath]

Originally Posted by notinmybackyard

Also consider that this is the new face of americain colonialism.

Google, an american company, controls how people acces information and even what information people get to see. Under international convention and laws, interferring or controling any nation's essential communications (gouvernement, etc) is considered an act of espionage. Interferiance or control of the communications of the populace of another nation is considered an act of war.


I think what is happening right now is many gouvernments are trying to find ways to push back against it. They are just searching for a way to do it with out a direct confrontation with the United States

lol Gimme a break. If these nations hate US companies so much, build a competitor, China did.

Stop using an American made internet, build your own. Case closed.

Basically what you socialist supporters are saying is 'get to big, we'll break you up! How dare you become to successful! We'll limit your ability'....

I'm not a big fan of some things google does, but I can choose not to use them. Just like everyone else.

[woj]

Originally Posted by jigg

so let's say decent product is why they have market share, that excuses their behavior and should get them a pass?

what behavior? it's their site, they run it however they like, they make the rules...
if you don't like their rules, don't use it, block google bot, etc

how is yahoo directory any different? they not only charge $300 but you also have to jump through hoops to get listed, so is yahoo evil too?

[Sly]

Question: how many of you use Bing, a Microsoft product (preloaded in computers), as your default search engine?

My guess is most of you do like I do when I get a new computer (I bought 5 this past year and did the same thing on all of them.)

Download Firefox.
Download Google Chrome.
Set default browser to Google Chrome.
Set default search engine on Firefox and Google Chrome to Google Search.

That's the first thing I do on a computer preloaded with Internet Explorer and Bing. Nobody forced me to do this. I go out of my way to install and set up a different product, even when I don't need to, simply because it's a BETTER PRODUCT.

So, who uses Internet Explorer and Bing?

[acrylix]

Originally Posted by Sly

Download Google Chrome.
Set default browser to Google Chrome.

Not a chance in hell.

[Heath]

Originally Posted by woj

what behavior? it's their site, they run it however they like, they make the rules...
if you don't like their rules, don't use it, block google bot, etc

how is yahoo directory any different? they not only charge $300 but you also have to jump through hoops to get listed, so is yahoo evil too?

Exactly!!!!

Like I said, they're singling out one company for no real reason. Aside from acting like the socialists they are.