The Google Shopping case was really nuanced. Google argued (with data) that they took actions in the best interests of the public, both individually and collectively.
The other side didn't contest that, but instead argued that those actions were not in the best interests of those spammy comparison shopping websites. (you know the ones which always advertise what you're looking for for a really low price, and when you go there they redirect you through about 30 banner ads before finally telling you they couldn't find the price they advertised earlier unless you get 30 friends to sign up to 10 credit cards each, but here it is anyway for double the price on amazon).
While there are lots of things Google was doing wrong, not promoting those scummy sites was 100% in the public's best interests...
> Google has come up with many innovative products and services that have made a difference to our lives. That's a good thing.
> But Google's strategy for its comparison shopping service wasn't just about attracting customers. It wasn't just about making its product better than those of its rivals. Instead, Google has abused its market dominance as a search engine by promoting its own comparison shopping service in its search results, and demoting those of competitors.
While it’s nuanced, “instead” doesn’t feel like agreeing did a good job at this.
Also I’m not arguing Google can design good services, more that they’re proven to abuse their position in documented cases.
PS: to get back to classics, I feel like hearing back discussion about how IE4 was way faster than Netscape, and was arguably a better browser. Or that windows was effectively better than the competion and they bribed vendors just to get better numbers.
Sure, we could agree on the individual products merits. It still harms the market as a whole, and the customer in the long term.
The other side didn't contest that, but instead argued that those actions were not in the best interests of those spammy comparison shopping websites. (you know the ones which always advertise what you're looking for for a really low price, and when you go there they redirect you through about 30 banner ads before finally telling you they couldn't find the price they advertised earlier unless you get 30 friends to sign up to 10 credit cards each, but here it is anyway for double the price on amazon).
While there are lots of things Google was doing wrong, not promoting those scummy sites was 100% in the public's best interests...