Google has officially responded to antitrust charges filed by attorneys general from 38 states and territories this week over its search business. The recently reported response, posted to Google’s Keyword Blog, explains that forcing a redesign of Google Search would cause more harm than good. And, in fact, the company says, the latest in the stream of allegations against Google could disproportionately impact small businesses.
Small and medium-sized businesses, the search giant claims, rely on Google Search to be discovered. Search helps those businesses to directly connect with customers across a large swath of products. Everything from retailers and restaurants to repair shops, airlines, and hotels, according to Google. With more than 4 billion direct connections to businesses generated every month.
Search serves as a direct line to businesses, Google says
Moreover, Google says, a large chunk of that traffic sends users to non-Google sites, with that number increasing yearly. The current layout of Google Search has increasingly provided more information to help users discover businesses’ sites and other details. According to Google, all of its redesigns have been in direct response to what users want.
Because of that, its search results page has gone from showing just 10 links on the page with minimal information in 2000 to detailing everything a user could want to know about the business in 2020. From website links and physical location to operating hours and menus. All information that’s managed by the businesses, with an average of 26 outgoing links shown on mobile devices.
The lawsuit filed December 17, Google says, seeks to force a redesign of all of that, forcing it to display „middlemen in place of direct connections.”
Google’s Search design is in line with what users want
Now, Google also indicates that it respects the need for „scrutiny” of „big companies”. It also says it’s ready to answer any questions pertaining to its search business. And to work through any potential issues. The latest antitrust lawsuit, according to Google, pertains to issues that have already been examined globally.
The result of those investigations has been the rejection of these types of cases by courts and regulators around the globe. Including at least one examination by the FTC. The conclusion of those has typically been in Google’s favor, with government bodies agreeing that the company’s changes have been in line with user demand.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com