Rob,
Dan did actually say he was all for competition – though I admit it was a little confusing as he also said things didn’t need to change.

I’m guessing someone has blogged about this article recently, as it’s had hundreds of page views over the past hour or so – even though it’s not even on my front page anymore.

Thanks to all of you for your comments!

Being as you just agreed with every point I made; that Google ARE increasing their prices and that competition IS good – why start your comment saying the content of my post was ‘bad’?

I also never said Google had a monopoly (read again) – I said they enjoy a “near-monopoly!” The fact there are other search engines clearly suggests that they do not own 100% of search, again, I never said they did so not sure where you read that – wasnt on my blog.

A few days later Mike Arrington from techcrunch made the exact same point as me, regarding Google’s near monopoly and why someone needs to innovate and develop a better product.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/25/the-importance-of-a-competitive-search-market/

I have clients and readers today paying up to 3 times as much for the SAME level of business from Google as they WERE getting 2 years ago. That drives price up and hurts small businesses.

Because Google are so dominant, you now have too many companies bidding for that same frontpage spot. This drives Googles revenues up and increases prices for consumers; as the advertisers have to spend more and more to reach the same (or fewer) number of people.

This near monopoly is hurting everyone – except Google.

This situation, with no genuine competition might suit you – I think it sucks!

i just read the article again and hes right, he said google had a near monopoly and they do – didnt you know that?

He never said they had a monopoly – so why use your cut-n-pate wikipedia BS ‘heres what a monopoly is’ crap? Sheeeeeeeesh.

The point around Google increasing prices is also, for me, not well researched. True prices are rising but (as the article itself points out!!!) Google are very good at what they do and are constantly improving. Their last results proved they are right to up their prices as theyre selling less ads as the ads they do sell have such high conversion rates. It may be cheaper to buy 100 ads for £100 with X company but if you only need 50 ads for the same price with a 50% higher conversion rate then why not pay “more” (these numbers are of course made up but it’s the principle not the numbers to heed).

I agree with the point that competition to Google is a good thing. I’m very much for open markets and competition. For me though this is the current situation.

There isn’t anything to fix or worry about. Until somebody provides a better solution Google will remain dominant and not a monopoly.

you get what you pay for and google are delivering. If you don’t like it use one of their competitors but don’t then moan if the service isn’t as good.