Continue reading »]]> There’s nothing insignificant in the realm of internet search. Revenues, profits, competition, ability to influence and usage by society in general are all massive!

If stunning success breeds scrutiny it should be no surprise that the largest and most successful provider of search (Google, of course) is under investigation by no less than the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, six State Attorneys General and the governments of Korea, Argentina and the European Union Commission. While the FTC seems focused on anti-trust, the mandate of other agencies seems user-driven as a result of complaints such as search manipulation, preferential placement and other practices which they claim could induce distortion of the market place and curtail free and open flow of information on the web.
We note that these are ongoing probes and any and all outcomes are speculative at this time.

To further compound the turmoil in this industry are the tantalizing prospects of even higher revenues as the sun sets on traditional print media.

What We Think of the Government Probes

If the concern is that Google is displaying one lawyer’s website above another, it seems overkill.
But Is it possible legislator’s concerns are driven by the realization that a search engine or social site that dominates has the ability to influence and guide so much of society so quickly? You decide.

The challenges faced by small/medium business owners attempting to understand the dynamics of a search industry that is changing daily and confusing at best, are formidable.

You know by now that even a good website stands a chance of being buried by robust competitors who buy their way to the top with paid ads/paid placement, supported by a better domain name, with good SEO input.

This is not child’s play!

Websites can be developed and improved along the way, but .com domain names are a one opportunity thing. Ask yourself what do you want your website to do?

If your exact search term domain is here, once again – you decide!