(6)
As you may have heard via the Wall Street Journal or New York Times or Search Engine Land - Google has settled with the European Union after a 2-3 year probe.
The settlement will require Google to:
(1) Clearly label Google's own results in the organice results.
(2) Add competitive links in certain situations.
(3) Make sure third parties validate this is going on.
Some of Google's competitors are not satisfied with this settlement according to Bloomberg - but I guess it is a pretty good deal for them.
It is hard to say without seeing how this will be implemented. I think the implementation of these changes will happen in about a month and I am not sure if it is just within the EU or going to be a more universal change. But trust me, as soon as Google tests this, I am sure we will report it to you.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld & Threadwatch.
Comments:
Alan
04/16/2013 01:03 pm
It's a start.
Alistair Lattimore
04/16/2013 01:31 pm
Increasing the labeling of Google's own real estate within the organic result could significantly increase the market share those web properties receive. Reading through the Bloomberg article, their complaint appears to have been unfair/preferential/anti-competitive display of results for Google's own websites. While I appreciate that they might want it clearer that it is a Google product or promotion of some sort, highlighting it further in the search results could have the direct opposite effect that the complainants want; only time will tell.
Adam Grunwerg
04/16/2013 03:43 pm
Whats it's got to do with the London tube map barry?
Barry Schwartz
04/16/2013 03:48 pm
London is in the EU. :)
Soni Sharma
04/17/2013 10:08 am
I am dicey .. Google is biased or not?
David
04/18/2013 07:02 am
Wait.. They are complaining about Google being anti-competitive and yet they want Google to label their real estate in the SERPS even more.Won't this just increase their visibility even more giving even less visibility to competition? Have to agree with @alistairlattimore:disqus on this one..