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When monopolies exist. Do we let the government tell them what to do (beyond the laws applicable to all businesses)? Or do we just break them up? Let's say I a

When monopolies exist. Do we let the government tell them what to do (beyond the laws applicable to all businesses)? Or do we just break them up? Let's say I accept your claim about Google being a monopoly. Should the government force them to rank sites the way the government wants? Or do we just break up Google?

heavyset_go 6y ago
It's not an either/or in the US. Trusts can be ordered to stop engaging in anticompetitive behavior as well as be broken up.
michaelmrose 6y ago
Google doesn't have anything like a monopoly and the barrier to switching is microscopic.
- slavak 6y ago
  Google has over 90% market share* in the search engine space worldwide. They most certainly do have a monopoly on web search. * https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share#monthly-201712-201812-bar https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share#monthl...
  - michaelmrose 6y ago
    Having a large share of a market doesn't constitute a monopoly. > exclusive ownership through legal privilege, command of supply, or concerted action Google doesn't own exclusive control of the supply of answers to queries about the rest of the web in fact it would almost be silly to even talk about such. Its also not the only game as far as ads What people are worried in fact is google controls access to a very large share of incoming eyeballs in terms of organic unpaid for results such that ranking you poorly or not at all could harm you despite having no business relationship with google. This however isn't business because the only customers are searchers and the ads on top of the results. Whether you appear 3rd or 37th is material to your business but not a matter of google having a monopoly on my eyeballs. The framework which you understand commerce doesn't fit the situation. If you believe it's worth addressing it will have to be via unique legislation that actually suits.

heavyset_go 6y ago

It's not an either/or in the US. Trusts can be ordered to stop engaging in anticompetitive behavior as well as be broken up.

michaelmrose 6y ago

Google doesn't have anything like a monopoly and the barrier to switching is microscopic.

slavak 6y ago
Google has over 90% market share* in the search engine space worldwide. They most certainly do have a monopoly on web search. * https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share#monthly-201712-201812-bar https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share#monthl...
- michaelmrose 6y ago
  Having a large share of a market doesn't constitute a monopoly. > exclusive ownership through legal privilege, command of supply, or concerted action Google doesn't own exclusive control of the supply of answers to queries about the rest of the web in fact it would almost be silly to even talk about such. Its also not the only game as far as ads What people are worried in fact is google controls access to a very large share of incoming eyeballs in terms of organic unpaid for results such that ranking you poorly or not at all could harm you despite having no business relationship with google. This however isn't business because the only customers are searchers and the ads on top of the results. Whether you appear 3rd or 37th is material to your business but not a matter of google having a monopoly on my eyeballs. The framework which you understand commerce doesn't fit the situation. If you believe it's worth addressing it will have to be via unique legislation that actually suits.