The EU has fined the largest search engine provider with a $2.7 billion fine for rigging the search results to favor one of their own shopping comparison service over other companies. This
is the largest fine ever imposed by EU regulators and could have been even larger since fine amounts are based on the company’s revenue. The EU has been investigating Google and their ranking practices for over 7 years prior to this week’s fine announcement.
Google’s organic and paid search results have always been a confusing maze of rules and regulations for users and business advertisers alike. A majority of their complexity is by design to keep their ranking algorithms difficult to understand or manipulate. However, since Google made the rules, they know better than anyone how to break them to their benefit.
While this fine was issued in the EU, many feel the same illegal or immoral practices are here in the United States search results as well. The amount of ad revenue going into Google’s pockets continue to grow each year and Google expects no change even with this negative news story shining light on their deceptive ranking methods.
Many of our clients and readers use Google Ads on a daily basis and depend on the revenue generated by their search engine advertising. Even with this recent announcement of misconduct by Google, I would not recommend any of my clients to stop using Google search advertising or PPC ads based on this report. While this is very disturbing activity, there is still substantial proof that Google ads drive business.
If you are “self-managing” your search engine advertising, give SurfYourName a call today at 515-4WEB-GUY and find out how you could be increasing your conversions and overall revenue by working with us. With our years of experience in the complicated search engine advertising world, we will help you navigate around common and costly mistakes.
We will continue to monitor this story and bring you relevant updates as they become available. Give Surf Your Name a call today and we can help you bring increased revenue to your bottom line with search engine marketing. Partner PPC ads with our effective and affordable email marketing campaigns and get the most out of your website! Call 515-4WEB-GUY (515-493-2489) for a free, no obligation review of your current website and marketing.
