State investigators also faulted Google for the way it structures its search results; Google’s method often requires companies to purchase ads to rise to the top of users’ search results. In doing so, the attorneys general alleged, Google is able to drive adoption of its own advertising products, enriching its bottom line and further entrenching its dominance. Compare Google search engine results over nearly two decades and a trend emerges: Results are filled with advertising and non-Google results are lower down. On Thursday, state attorneys general including Colorado’s and Nebraska’s said they would seek to consolidate their lawsuit with the Justice Department’s earlier complaint so that the cases would be argued together. To preserve its profits, and maintain its monopoly, the attorneys general said, Google for years has used illegal, exclusionary practices.

Source: Washington Post December 17, 2020 17:53 UTC