Assessing Google’s Monopoly Status
Google is one of the world’s largest companies, centered on search engines and online advertising. It is extremely popular for quickly retrieving more accurate results, making it highly convenient and reliable for users worldwide. This brought the attention of multiple advertisers, as they believe that Google’s domination of the global market may help them effectively promote their products and reach broader audiences.
This company is a leader in its respective fields, especially search engines and online advertising. These characteristics may make one assume that Google is a monopoly; however, it is not. First, it has competitors for every unit, such as Meta, Amazon, Yandex, Bing, and Baidu. Second, some of the company’s platforms, for example, Google Ads, have competitors capable of defeating them to obtain a part of Google’s market share.
Key Characteristics Indicating Google’s Market Power
However, some of the company’s behaviors are at risk of turning it into a monopoly. This statement is especially true regarding their search engine, which still reaps the benefits and controversies caused by its global domination. While Google’s free engine does not represent a necessary service that meets a person’s everyday needs, such as food and water, it has dealt with some legal issues.
Recently, they received a case for violating antitrust rules in their digital advertising business. Antitrust issues are crucial, as they defend healthy competition and prevent unfair corporate practices that may seriously harm smaller firms. This event makes the answer to the question of whether Google is a monopoly or not a subject for further discussion. However, it is more rational to state that the company is an oligopoly, i.e., it controls what is of value to the global market and makes similar goods. In conclusion, Google is not a monopoly, as it exhibits behaviors reminiscent of an oligopoly and does not represent services necessary for people’s basic needs.