Google is the most dominant search engine at the moment, and over the years, we’ve started to see Google promote its own services in search results. For example recently Google started to allow users to book their flights and hotels simultaneously through the search results, thus bypassing the need to go to another website.Ultimately this makes things more efficient, but unfortunately it also means driving away traffic to other travel or hotel-booking websites, and it seems that Google’s practices have landed them in some hot water in India. The country’s antitrust organization have hit Google with a fine of about $20 million for alleged search bias.
According to the Competition Commission of India, “Google was found to be indulging in practices of search bias and by doing so, it causes harm to its competitors as well as to users. Google was leveraging its dominance in the market for online general web search, to strengthen its position in the market for online syndicate search services.”
This is actually not the first time that companies and watchdogs have criticized the company for allegedly abusing their dominant position. In a statement made in response to the fine, a Google spokesman said, “We have always focused on innovating to support the evolving needs of our users. The Competition Commission of India has confirmed that, on the majority of issues it examined, our conduct complies with Indian competition laws.” He also stated that Google is reviewing the concerns identified by the commission and will assess their next step.