In August, the US Department of Justice declared Google an illegal monopoly in the landmark antitrust case. In August, the US Department of Justice declared Google a monopoly illegal in the landmark antitrust lawsuit. Now, a couple of months later, the DOJ has proposed plans to break up the search engine in what it calls “structural remedies”, according to the filed court papers. The DOJ has now proposed plans to break down the search engine, according to court papers. So, what does Google’s future look like? What does Google’s Future Look Like? I examine the DOJ’s potential ideas for Google and share how the SEO community has responded to the news. I share the SEO community’s reaction to the DOJ’s possible ideas for Google. What Could Happen to Google? What Could Google Do?
The US government’s outlined actions
The US government has outlined potential actions to destabilize Google’s monopoly over the search landscape. The US government has identified potential actions that could be taken to undermine Google’s monopoly on the search landscape. In the 32-page document, the DOJ opens by saying:
“Google’s anticompetitive conduct resulted in interlocking and pernicious harms that present unprecedented complexities in a highly evolving set of markets.”
“Google’s anticompetitive behavior resulted in interlocking, pernicious harms which present unprecedented complexity in a rapidly evolving set of markets.” These markets are indispensable to the lives of all Americans, whether as individuals or as business owners, and the importance of effectively unfettering these markets and restoring competition cannot be overstated.”
“These markets are essential to the lives of Americans, both as individuals and as business owners. The importance of unfettering and restoring competition in these markets cannot be overstated.”
Alongside seeking a Google breakup, several other ideas are considered, including:
- Making Google search data available to competitors – this could pose a security and privacy risk to users of Google
- Limiting Google’s exclusive deals with partners (such as Apple) that present Google as the default search engine – this could give consumers more choice
- Examining Google’s role in shaping and displaying AI features in search – Google argues this “risks holding back American innovation at a critical moment”
- Google should separate ads from search results and share its ad ranking data
DOJ’s Proposal Impact
The latest proposal is not the final ruling, but it has certainly caused unrest across the landscape. The latest proposal may not be the final decision, but it certainly has caused unrest in the landscape.
Google’s Response
Google has responded to the recent update in a blog post:
“We believe that today’s blueprint goes well beyond the legal scope of the Court’s decision about Search distribution contracts.”
“We believe today’s blueprint goes beyond the legal scope set out in the Court’s decision on Search distribution contracts. Government overreach in a fast-moving industry may have negative unintended consequences for American innovation and America’s consumers. We look forward to making our arguments in court.”
“Government overreaching in a fast moving industry could have unintended negative consequences for American innovation as well as consumers. We look forward in making our arguments before the court.”
Google has been vocal across platforms about the US government’s “sweeping agenda”. Google has made a number of statements about the US government and its “sweeping agenda”.
Source: Website Builder Expert
The SEO Community Reacts
Google has kept the SEO world buzzing for months with news, from the antitrust case to the latest algorithm update. Google has been keeping the SEO world on their toes for months, with the latest algorithm updates and the antitrust case. And, the DOJ’s proposed plans for the search engine have certainly got many of us reaching for the popcorn to see how it all unfolds.
The DOJ’s proposed changes to the search engine has many of us reaching out for the popcorn. Lily Ray reacted to the news on X.
Source: Website Builder Expert
Glenn Gabe posted on LinkedIn following the filing and Google’s response: Glenn Gabe commented on LinkedIn after the filing and Google’s response. Seo consultant Glenn Gabe outlined the key information on social media.
Source: Website Builder Expert
Nick LeRoy also shared his take in his weekly SEO newsletter, named SEOForLunch: Nick LeRoy shared his thoughts in his weekly SEO Newsletter, SEOForLunch.
“I think it’s very unlikely that the DOJ will execute this proposal as it stands.”
“I don’t think the DOJ is going to implement this proposal in its current form. However, it should scare the daylights out of Google. It should however scare Google to death. How this plays out is anyone’s best guess at this point, but we know that change at Google is coming!”
“It’s hard to predict how this will play out, but we do know that Google is going through a change.”
As I’ve already mentioned, the case judge has yet to decide on a solution, but with expected appeals and the scale of the case, it’s likely to be a long process. As I mentioned earlier, the judge has not yet decided on a solution. However, with the expected appeals and due to the size of the case, this is likely to be a lengthy process. Further updates are expected in November of this year and March 2025.
More updates are expected to be released in November this year and March 2020.
