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On Friday Travel site Expedia filed an antitrust complaint against Google with the EU. That brings the number of formal anti-competition complaints in Europe to 12. According to a widely quoted statement from Expedia the complaint ‘offers evidence of how Google’s conduct harms not only competition, but consumers.” The specific “evidence” was not made public. EU antitrust commissioner Joaquín Almunia has said that a decision about whether to formally charge Google will come after the Easter holiday in Europe. The focus of many of the EU complaints has been the argument that Google unfairly channels traffic to its own properties. That is likely a central pillar of the Expedia claim(s) as well. We have not read the complaint however. With this latest complaint there is increasing pressure on Almunia’s office to formally charge Google. Indeed, I would not expect the EU to simply drop the case and say that nothing Google is doing violates EU … [Read more...] about Expedia Adds Complaint To Anti-Google Chorus In Europe

According to the Wall Street Journal, US and European regulators are now formally investigating the facts and circumstances behind “Cookiegate,” the circumvention of default privacy settings on the iPhone’s Safari browser by Google. When the practice was discovered or revealed in an article in the Wall Street Journal earlier this year it was discontinued by Google. At the time Google put out a statement, arguing it was merely delivering the experience that its users had already signed-in to receive, and that it wasn’t some sort of nefarious plot: The Journal mischaracterizes what happened and why. We used known Safari functionality to provide features that signed-in Google users had enabled. It’s important to stress that these advertising cookies do not collect personal information. The outcome of the US and European investigations could be fines and other penalties for Google. In the US the central question is whether the Google behavior violated a … [Read more...] about Google Now Under Formal Investigation In US, Europe For Cookiegate

As Google’s critics and rivals in Europe become increasingly vocal and aggressive in their campaign against the company’s proposed antitrust settlement, the European Commission (EC) has some egg on its face. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia negotiated the current settlement with Google over a period of months. The specific provisions, including the controversial “rival links” concept, were entirely known to him and colleagues when the proposal was released for “market testing” third-party reaction and comment. It was also entirely predictable that FairSearch.org and other anti-Google groups would reject the proposals as insufficient. I have been informed and led to believe that Almunia and the EC have the authority to simply accept and finalize the settlement over the objections of critics. However, that doesn’t seem to be happening, and Almunia now finds himself in a “political bind.” It’s strange that Almunia is … [Read more...] about Would Europe

Marketing conferences play a big role keeping you updated with the latest trends, tips, and strategies in the industry. Plus, they are a fantastic way connect with peers and potential clients. The online marketing industry is a fairly small circle. This makes conferences a great way to create and foster mutually beneficial relationships. That said, Search Engine Journal has narrowed the list down to 15 marketing conferences you can’t miss this year. Pubcon is the premier search marketing expo. It features multi-track event, as well as a full day of their Pubcon Masters Group for search and social media training (optional). The event will be keynoted by the industry’s leading experts, and exhibitors will be from top businesses, startups, and sponsors involved in social media, digital marketing, search engines, and online advertising. Pubcon Las Vegas will take place on October 11-13 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. MozCon is three days of progressive and actionable … [Read more...] about 15 Marketing Conferences You Shouldn’t Miss

Google’s share of the Internet ad market has risen almost 10 percent in the last five years, from 34.9 percent in 2006 to 44.1 percent in 2010, making it the undisputed Goliath in online advertising. Google also dominates global search, accounting for 85 percent of all searches as their three main competitors, Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL, have slipped to just a 13.8 percent share combined, according to advertising and communications firm ZenithOptimedia. As Google continues to grow, thanks to acquisitions like DoubleClick and YouTube, Facebook has also increased their market share, though it is more at the expense of companies like Microsoft and AOL. Facebook’s 0.6 percent 2006 market share had grown to 3.1 percent in 2010; ZenithOptimedia expects they will surpass Microsoft by the end of this year. They doubled AOL during 2010. In times of persistent economic uncertainty, it wouldn’t be difficult to take a pessimistic view in predicting expenditures in the coming year … [Read more...] about Google Now Owns 44% of Global Advertising Market