Is Google a Monopoly?
Examining why the tech giant might be split up.
Well, it’s official. Google is a monopoly.
That’s at least what a U.S. judge ruled on August 5th, stating that the tech giant has illegally maintained a monopoly through its search engine services. Google, the judge determined, has used its influence and lobbying to squash competition among search engine providers and unfairly raise ad prices.
The judge’s proposed solution? Google needs to break up into separate companies.
If you feel like you’ve been in the dark on this issue, you’re not alone. Google’s proposed break-up—and the litigation leading up to it—has not been covered well by the mainstream media. Few people realize the consequences that will result from this ruling.
It’s too early to tell what will happen to Google, although evidence does suggest that the company will split into potentially four separate corporations. But it does beg a question: is Google actually a monopoly?
Is Google a Monopoly?
A monopoly is a market where one seller or producer dominates the entire industry, stifling competition and limiting consumer choice.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Is the search engine industry really a monopoly if anyone can…
