SEOlogist Discusses the Record-breaking €2.4 Billion Fine Google’s Been Given in the EU
This week our very own Val Zamulin was on CBC's On The Money to talk about the gigantic lawsuit being taken against Google in the UK. On The Money is on CBC every weeknight at 7pm Eastern. It is a program that informs and educates viewers about the way money affects our home and work lives.
On the episode they discussed the allegations against Google and the company's approach to displaying their own Google Shopping listings above their competitors in search. Margrethe Vestager, Europe's competition commissioner suggests that if charges are made it could act as a precedent for further investigations related to Google's other businesses. As the issue stands now, Google has been slapped with a record-breaking fine of 2.1 to 2.7 billion pounds.
On the show Zamulin speaks out against the allegations. Here is just a brief snapshot of his sentiments on the topic:
"It's a great opportunity for me to explain to Canadian Internet users how Google algorithm works and why, in my opinion, EU's antitrust fine on Google is unjustified. I feel that a great company like Google deserves to be treated fairly."
The controversy lies in the fact that Google now dominates roughly 90% of the European search engine market. The fine from the European Commission is based on the notion that they are not allowed to use their dominance in one market (search) to have an unfair advantage in another market (e-commerce sales.)
The issue however is not so cut and dry. For example, Google is listing "Shop on Google" listings above Ebay, however, Ebay still has the opportunity to pay to be there - and is listed there, above its own listing. This is largely a pay to play environment just as Google AdWords is. It would perhaps be a different story if Google was selling goods in its own marketplace like Amazon or eBay does.
The team at Google have stated that they are going to review the case and consider if they will appeal. For now their official statement is that they "respectively disagree" with the allegations and the fine.
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This week our very own Val Zamulin was on CBC's On The Money to talk about the gigantic lawsuit being taken against Google in the UK. On the episode they discussed the allegations against Google and the company's approach to displaying their own Google Shopping listings above their competitors in search. Margrethe Vestager, Europe's competition commissioner suggests that if charges are made it could act as a precedent for further investigations related to Google's other businesses. As the issue stands now, Google has been slapped with a record-breaking fine of 2.1 to 2.7 billion pounds.
