3 ms·

I have a hypothesis that Google prioritizes businesses that are tied to Google somewhere somehow, for example their web site uses Google Analytics, or pays for

by mojuba 3y ago

I have a hypothesis that Google prioritizes businesses that are tied to Google somewhere somehow, for example their web site uses Google Analytics, or pays for ads, etc. This way, by promoting google-tied businesses they may (marginally) improve profits. A little dirty trick that makes sense for Google so much that I'd be very surprized if it's not true. Can't verify it though, hope someone can?

hutzlibu 3y ago
"Can't verify it though, hope someone can?" If someone could, that would be very troubling for google.
- mojuba 3y ago
  Why would it be though? Are they promising businesses to represent them in a fair manner on the Maps, or in Search for that matter?
  - hutzlibu 3y ago
    It all became quite muddy, but I am sure they did at some point. Clearly mark sponsored content, that can be highlighted (also on the map) - but otherwise the algorithm for the search needs to be neutral, that was the basic claim of google (and demand of regulators) in all monopol abuse related legal battles. So if they favor their best paying clients in a non transparent way and this is verified, then I believe this would be very expensive for google, possibly the end of them - as then every small and middle company can sue them for compensation.
  - PeterisP 3y ago
    Anti-trust laws generally make it illegal to leverage a dominant position in one market (which google has in search) to favor your business in another market.
wslh 3y ago
I so think this and could correlate with the search engine. It seems the vision of organizing the world data was misdirected to another side. Google is forgetting many sites and its search is subpar and doesn't target obvious SEO Spam endeavors. Finally, don't forget how they increase the number of ads in the search results at the top, you need to really think where the real results start. Business wise speaking, it seems that Google is aware that the clock is ticking for several of their offerings. This is even beyond the antitrust case. Microsoft Bing finds stuff that Google doesn't. Something impossible to think a few years ago.

by mojuba 3y ago

hutzlibu 3y ago

"Can't verify it though, hope someone can?" If someone could, that would be very troubling for google.

mojuba 3y ago
Why would it be though? Are they promising businesses to represent them in a fair manner on the Maps, or in Search for that matter?
- hutzlibu 3y ago
  It all became quite muddy, but I am sure they did at some point. Clearly mark sponsored content, that can be highlighted (also on the map) - but otherwise the algorithm for the search needs to be neutral, that was the basic claim of google (and demand of regulators) in all monopol abuse related legal battles. So if they favor their best paying clients in a non transparent way and this is verified, then I believe this would be very expensive for google, possibly the end of them - as then every small and middle company can sue them for compensation.
- PeterisP 3y ago
  Anti-trust laws generally make it illegal to leverage a dominant position in one market (which google has in search) to favor your business in another market.

wslh 3y ago

I so think this and could correlate with the search engine. It seems the vision of organizing the world data was misdirected to another side. Google is forgetting many sites and its search is subpar and doesn't target obvious SEO Spam endeavors. Finally, don't forget how they increase the number of ads in the search results at the top, you need to really think where the real results start. Business wise speaking, it seems that Google is aware that the clock is ticking for several of their offerings. This is even beyond the antitrust case. Microsoft Bing finds stuff that Google doesn't. Something impossible to think a few years ago.