Who is FairSearch and why does it hate Google so much?


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Being the world?s favorite search engine has brought Google and its founders to positions of unimagined wealth, influence, and power. Every small tweak to the company?s search algorithms is pored over and studied by the millions of websites that depend on the traffic it drives their way. Not surprisingly, bigger entities in the web realm keep a stern eye on Google?s activities too, and their response has manifested itself over the past couple of years through the actions of a group called FairSearch.

Initially formed by Microsoft and a group of travel search engines like Kayak and Expedia, FairSearch describes itself as a coalition of businesses concerned with protecting consumers? rights online. A choice of search provider underpinned by vibrant competition, a resolute commitment to transparency, and an unswerving desire for innovation are the three central pillars of FairSearch?s stated credo. Oh, and Google is the villain with the technicolor logo that?s on a mission to destroy it all.

If you have a quarrel with Google, FairSearch would love to hear from you

Beneath the sheen of do-gooder ideology, FairSearch can be most charitably described as a Google watchdog. It seeks to fan the flames of disapproval where they?ve started organically, originate them where they haven?t, and generally disseminate negativity toward the Google brand. Think of it as a PR firm working to destroy rather than create goodwill.

Every member company in FairSearch competes with Google in some fashion, and would enjoy an obvious advantage from seeing the leader?s wings clipped, but there?s another important benefit that the lobbying group confers upon its members: obscurity. Putting on its FairSearch hat, Microsoft can mount public assaults on Google?s practices and reputation without tarnishing its own name by being visibly involved in the spat. In the fight for hearts and minds, FairSearch helps to create the appearance of Google being in perpetual trouble with the law, whereas in reality what Google?s facing is a concerted attack from a cabal of its competitors.

FairSearch gives voice to Nokia and Microsoft's displeasure with Android's success

The latest development in this ongoing relationship comes courtesy of an EU complaint filed by FairSearch against Google. It strays into new territory for FairSearch as its allegations relate to Android?s smartphone dominance and Google?s "predatory distribution" of the mobile operating system. This would be an oddity if you read the coalition?s web-centric mission statement, but fits neatly into the (unexpressed) modus operandi of tripping Google up at every opportunity. In fact, the current finger-pointing was presaged at the end of last year, when Nokia and Oracle joined FairSearch and Politico got ahold of a white paper outlining FairSearch?s attack on Google?s mobile efforts.

Now counting 17 web and technology companies among its supporters, FairSearch is undoubtedly a well-funded and resource-rich operation. The fact that it could afford to take six months to go from that white paper to its formal complaint with the European authorities illustrates the group?s staying power and diligence. The only thing FairSearch lacks is any semblance of fairness.

While the collective voice decries Google?s supposed abuses of market power, the individual member companies soothe their investors by telling them they "haven?t seen any impact on our business." In September 2012, Kayak?s CEO told CNBC that Google?s hotel and flight search is "an inferior product" and something the company is monitoring but not worried about. So why all the hand-wringing from FairSearch about Google dominating search markets?

Google's overwhelming size and scale may be problematic, but FairSearch isn't the solution

Google stands accused of unfairly exploiting its vast size and influence to the detriment of web and mobile users? interests. The essential reason for FairSearch?s existence is to convince both the public and powerful regulators like the European Commission and the US Federal Trade Commission of Google?s guilt. With Google owning substantial shares of the smartphone, search, and advertising markets ? don?t forget, the web?s second most popular search engine is YouTube, another Google property ? there?s plenty of reason to be wary of the effects of a less benevolent Mountain View hegemony. Nonetheless, FairSearch has shown itself to be a less than reliable moderator for Google?s activities.

Serving as the disposable mouthpiece for its members? hypocrisy, FairSearch has acted like a classic FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) merchant. Instead of exposing betrayals of public trust, the group has made them a habit.

http://www.theverge....o-is-fairsearch

Please keep it CLEAN. TY

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That's basically all you need to know.

I find it hilarious that Microsoft and others formed a group specifically to go after and destroy Google. I guess getting ahead now doesnt rely on proper marketing and creating good products. Its getting just as bad as politics...if not worse.

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One of their complaints is that Google is giving away Android for free, and they can't compete with that. So what's the EU supposed to do, make Google re-license the Linux kernel under a proprietary licence and start charging for it?

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I find it hilarious that Microsoft and others formed a group specifically to go after and destroy Google. I guess getting ahead now doesnt rely on proper marketing and creating good products. Its getting just as bad as politics...if not worse.

You make it sound as if Google have never teamed up with other companies to complain to the EU about Microsoft's practices.

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I find it hilarious that Microsoft and others formed a group specifically to go after and destroy Google. I guess getting ahead now doesnt rely on proper marketing and creating good products. Its getting just as bad as politics...if not worse.

What does this have to do with quality of bing as a product? Google has done exact same thing to Microsoft a multiple times in the past, I guess Chrome must be a pretty bad browser or Google desktop search must have been horrible.

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You make it sound as if Google have never teamed up with other companies to complain to the EU about Microsoft's practices.

So, Google formed a whole organization specifically to go after Microsoft? There is a difference between complaining and forming a whole group with the sole purpose of taking out Google. Look at FairSearch website...All about Google.

What does this have to do with quality of bing as a product?

If Bing was as great as MS claims it to be, and better than Google, then it should sell itself just like many things have in the past. There was a time when these kind of tactics didnt exist, or were rarely heard of, and product sales relied on how well the product worked and showing the consumers why it is better than the competition. Now it seems that whoever is the underdog, they will use tactics like this to try and gain an edge.

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