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Is Google Too Powerful?

Microsoft and Google

Seemed like for a long time Microsoft was the big giant everyone was scared of and from that fear caused most of us to love to hate them. Lately I've heard a lot about Google's mega conglomerate empire and how they are eating up the internet.

Microsoft's plan was to put a computer in ever single home running their software and get them on the internet. Google took the ball from there - once they are on the internet the majority of people use Google and they have become the next superpower.

If you can believe it, Google's $144 billion market value tops that of Time Warner, Viacom, CBS, ad agency giant Publicis Groupe, and the New York Times Co. combined.
From Newsweek Is Google Too Powerful?

Big Brother is Watching You

Theorys of Google compiling mega databases about the entire planet =o (which is obviously their goal to some degree) are getting people a little concerned. But are these concerns justified?

Google knows who you are - just google your name
They know where you work - google your business name
They have a satellite picture of your house - google earth your address
They are building a database of what you search for
They have bank accounts and tax information - google checkout, google adsense
They have credit card and social security information - google adwords, google adsense
They monitor what you do on the internet - google toolbar
They monitor what you do on your computer - google desktop
They know what traffic comes on your website - google analytics
They have access to your emails - gmail

Who knows what they will do or where they will go next - and there are a lot of products I didn't mention - these guys are massive.

They own Blogger - the largest blogging site, the voices and opinions of the world - Our online diaries as a lot of us call them.

Youtube - the largest online video archive - archiving family home videos and your recent trips.

Google prides themselves in their superior AI capabilities. To be able to search the entire world and come up with exactly what you are looking for. 56% of the internet trust them to do their searches. And if Google thinks you need help it will give you suggestions on what you possibly meant. More on Google and Big Brother

What Would we do without Google?

But we all love them =D because they make awesome products and services. But isn't it a little bit frightening to think how much we have wrapped up ourselves in this company.

What would happen to the world if Google disappeared off the planet? Or if both Google and Microsoft disappeared. Would there be WWIII? Would we survive?

Interesting thoughts - The truth is they have become so involved in our lives it would be like shutting down the power plant in your area and leaving you without electricity for a year or two.

Google's Eyes

Does Google need to be regulated?

"Google probably knew when you last thought you were pregnant, what diseases your children have had, and who your divorce lawyer is"
Bill Thompson
From the UK Is Google too Powerful

As some of these things may be scary to some - I personally like Google and their services and plan to continue using them. I don't believe they are a malicious company, neither do I think that about Microsoft.

It is possible that a little control would be good as they are a super power in the world today. But who would regulate them? What agency on the planet would you trust to get involved with Google? Or maybe a better question is: What government would love to get involved with Google and their databases of everyone's private information?

At this point in time I have no reason to fear Google their free services seem to be helpful to everyone. But honestly who knows? Did you mean: Is this just candy for Hansel and Gretel?

Posted by Abraham Chaffin - Cambria Real Estate on 05/31/2007 07:47 AM

Comments (63)

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63 Comments on Is Google Too Powerful?

MAY

2007

I hope no one takes this post the wrong way.

It's not meant to scare you - though it might be a little intense to think about. It is mostly intended to stimulate thought and discussion on the subject.

Well, google knows alot. However, there are times I wish that they new more. Like when I am trying to find something out and they have zero references. It happens, especially with people.

Very true Steve - they definitely aren’t omniscient - though I know for you and me if you Google our names you get a whole lot. And some private investigators even start on Google =o

I owe much of my business to people finding me on google. I absolutely love google and think they are being rewarded for the incredible job they have done. If anything I think google has room to grow as crazy as that sounds. My simple answer to your question is, no way.

Personally, I don't think Google needs to be regulated. I DO think that there needs to be some place out there, maybe even in our schools that educate internet users of how it all works. I don't think a lot of people really know what happens when they install Google Toolbar, or Google Desktop.

I'm with you...I don't think they are a malicious company either. I for one would not want any of the information they have collected to end up in ANY governments hands.

They still have a terrible home page.

Abraham, I love google and use more of their services every day. I know they have tons, bazilllions of information, but I seriously doubt they are sitting around reading our stuff.

I think they are in their nifty cubicals thinking and programming more cool things, or eating lunch in their home cooked meals cafeteria, or maybe playing volleyball during a break. They work hard and play hard. Maybe I'm nieve and only time will tell. But, more now............bring on the services and the technology !

It is so easy to look up information. I just look up on google. it has made our lives easier.

Google done a great job of building their brand and finding their niche. I don't like they give information about us to the Chinese government.

Yes it does give one something to think about. They are compiling alot of data about us but so are others. I don't think it is something that can be fought but you do need to think twice before shoving you information out there as to where it could end up.

Google is too powerful. :)

It is amazing to see how much information is out there about each of us individually. It is frightening some times. What I like about the net though is that small people like us have a definite voice. Google has done an incredible job building itself into the giant it is.

Abraham... I agree with most comments, that Google is very powerful. Sure, they can't search everything, but close enough in my opinion.

In regards to big brother watching us? Why care... seriously. Our government has already done this. So, why should we be concerned. If you aren't doing anything wrong, just move on and go about your business. As someone said, investigators and other services.... they can find out so much about you anyhow.

Overall... Google has expanded my business 150%..... and I have written a few blogs on Google and their marketing. And the Number ONE spot for Top Brand name goes to........

Lastly...... Abraham... you did a nice job on this blog... thanks.

jeff belonger

What else would you use? If it ever did fail, someone would pick up the pieces so it doesn't matter. You can always use one of the other search engines. Think of Yahoo, they also have many of the options mentioned in the post. It is what it is. We will never be without something like Google. It should never be regulated nor should the competitors for that matter. If they were, we would be restricted in our use and perhaps have to pay a charge.

I have no fear of Google. I've watched it from the beginning and their philosophies are the opposite of that of Microsoft.

Microsoft's business practices is what made it the company you love to hate.

Google does what we want it to do....Google also knows what we want it to know...its sinmple.. is it too powerful..no way...we are the ones giving google it direction

I have to say I love it too, I use it for everything I want to find. If it weren't so powerful it probably wouldn't be so GOOD!

Abraham... I have no idea what I'd do without Google, quite frankly. And, while I love what I can find, I must admit that I often think about some of the questions you've asked in this post. Of course there are other search engines. I tried using MSN Live Search for a time, but just wasn't happy with it. The simple fact is this... it works. Almost flawlessly. This is a very thought provoking post and I'm glad it got featured. The comment crosstalk should be very interesting.

I'm ga ga for google. I've been a stock holder since they went public.

Good for them not cooperating with the DOJ.

I am addicted to Google. It's not perfect for many searches yet. There's still a lot of spam for them to contend with. I really don't worry about privacy. I'll tell you anything you would like to know and I really don't care who in the world knows stuff about me. I'm an open book.

No :)

I'm with you all - the conspiracy theorists obviously have something to hide.

For all the services they give us and what they do for us what is not to love. As Internet people and as we build our businesses online we want to be found! So the more they know about us the better. We want to come up on every search lol

And I don't see a reason why they would end up using our information in any way that would damage us. Maybe when I retire and want to go live on a farm somewhere in Montana I won't want anyone to find me, but until then bring on the crawlers!

There are so many other things in the world to worry about other than google. If google is all we have to worry about (versus terrorism for example), that's fine with me. Mike C

Yeah... Google Has been Serving us quite well already.

Somehow, Other company's find some of their services to

give disadvantages like their google analytics.

Some say that it deprives privacy.

But in other sense, it is good to track the level of you website.

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"If you aren't doing anything wrong, just move on and go about your business." - Not totally on topic but this type of thinking is very scary to me. I don't really want the government (or anyone really) watching my every move even if I am doing nothing wrong. They have no reason to watch me unless they have evidence that I am doing something wrong. The founding fathers would be appalled at the willingness of many Americans to give up their basic rights.

Anyway on to Google...I can't say they are getting too big because they continue to develop great tools and most of the time give them away for free. They can keep track of your online behavior but if you log out of your account they can't track you as deeply. I do wish there was a viable competitor to Google in search though. While their results are probably still the best overall they could still be much better. I really hope that someone comes along to challenge them and push search forward.

lets face it they are on top of this whole Internet game. Google has longitude and latitude integrated in to search so in the future with a gps device you will get targeted results..

You computer has a GPS Device or a Position device:

Enter Search "Pizza" Result are local with optional driving directions

Google is always experimenting, just look at Google Labs

Abraham, I remember years ago my parents talking about this same subject, but using the words "the government" instead of "Google".

Beautiful job on this post...you are a grand writer my friend! Google too powerful? I guess I would have to say.....Hooray! I search, promote advertise and anything and everything. Where would I be without them? It's change...it's moving forward. Afraid? Heck no....let's move forward too! I sleep good at night so doesn't bother me what they're "looking at". WooHoo....

I don't want to say anything bad about google (they are watching and listening right now!). LOL

Why can't people just go do their own advertising? Must not be anything good if they have to use your post, huh?

They are very powerful & to Steve above - you really think the government doesn't have access to that & more?

But the bottom line is, if you are doing nothing wrong why do you care?

Google DOES provide some great services ;)

Talk about monopolies - They are making our lives integrated though, pretty soon we'll have a handheld that will do it all

I don't care about Google having access to the information that I willingly provide to them. It is pretty easy to keep them from gaining access to information you don't want them to have.

I do have a problem with the government being able to gain access to information even if I don't want them to have it. I have no way to control what they see or what they do with it. I am actually offended that so many people here, and everywhere in the US, have the attitude that if you have nothing to hide you should not care. We have a right to keep the government from spying on us for no reason. Sorry, but this is one issue that really bothers me more and more. I know it has nothing to do with the topic at hand but it just kills me that so many will give up their rights so easily and not even give it a second thought.

I just did a post on our Google fixation too...especially as it pertains to SEO....do you realize we are googling 3.6 billion times a month? They have a 50% market share of all searches in the US....

Read this post and check the stats yourself

http://activerain.com/blogsview/112334/Too-Fixated-on-Google

Google is a great tool and have changed the way we conduct business.

I can't say that it scares me but your post sure opens my eyes to a different view of Google. Thanks for sharing a great post.

OMG, When I googled my name recently, the first thing that came up was my high school alumni page - with my year of graduation!! - This, I was hoping to keep a secret - It really ages me! Anyway I guess my secret is out of the proverbial bag - the goggle bag that is. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE GOGGLE - It is the reason for most of my business lately and I am grateful they are around right now - So what if they have let everyone know I'm older than dirt! (to quote my friend Lenn Harley).

That's a great question! I'm just too scared to answer...In case Google has ties to the mafia now :)

Scott

I like google - and no, they're not too powerful.

No, they shouldn't be regulated - let's keep the government OUT of business.

So they know what I'm looking for and give me related ads. Thanks! That's far better than lots of junk I don't care about.

They level the playing field - we can all google somebody. Otherwise, only "the powerful" would be able to know everything about us.

If you don't want the world to know - don't do it.

Google the Great Every generation has had their major conspiracy theories - some truer than others.

Potentates coming to power and spreading their influence over the world then infiltrating the lives of every man, woman and child. From the days of the monarchs or the Spanish inquisition, to the CIA. Last decade it was the Microsoft scare, and now Google.

Though the ones of old might have had more devastating effects upon the lives of their subjects I don’t for see cataclysmic events coming from the reign of Google in the future. For the most part Google has treated its subjects with kindness. Unlike the power hungry, greedy and deceptive leaders of the past.

If google disapeared tonight all i would miss is my 2nd favorite email server. if microsoft left for mars we could all use Macs and be better off. These companies are huge, but there is a kid out there right now tinkering with a computer that will wipe both of them off the face of the earth when his invention hits the street.

Read the latest issue of Ink Magazine "Taking On Google" they are big now but like Daniel said above, they could disapear as fast as they came on the market. You should also check out Matt Cutt's take on Google and Privacy. It's pretty good. Lastly, anytime someone says things like businesses being regulated, I get nervous!!

great blog.....

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At this point I see Google more as benevolent web citizen than power hungry tech company. To the question of regulation, where would someone even begin??

Did you see that Google is coming out with a free word-type program? And you don't have to be connected to the internet.

Wow John you're right - I didn't know that but here it is

Google Docs - Writely

I guess the program is called Writely - Believe you do have to be connected to the internet though - but the good thing about that is you can access it from anywhere in the world! I prefer it that way actually. Correct me if I'm wrong about this please.

I did a couple searches and found it google Writely

JOhn great post...

Wow , incredible read

Regulate Google? Just kidding right? I thought so... Besides, anyone who thinks they need to be regulated can just delete all those cool Google tools off their computer.

Boy, everybody loves a winner... until they seem invincible. Let Google have it's day in the sun, it won't be there forever. Funny thing is, I don't like the Google search engine very much. I prefer Yahoo, don't know why, it just seems to give me better results.

Great post... and love those Google graphics!

Thanks - I know Google wouldn't crown themselves so I had to make it myself lol

It's funny how we don't hear much about Google's corporate executives like we do for Microsoft or Apple - tells me something about their character. They tend to stay out of the lime light and just do their job.

JUN

2007

Abraham, great post! Your reference to Microsoft and Google is something that often gets lost seeing as they both desperately compete against each other. Microsoft was just as similar in the 80's by opening up their architecture to allow software developers to build applications that would be supported on their operating system. Thus, applications were dependent on Microsoft to massively distribute their O/S in order for software development companies to distribute their software. Once Microsoft had a somewhat large "network" of users depending on them and their O/S, they forced not only software companies to be regulated under licensing terms, but also hardware companies (drivers, etc.). This was mandatory as a multitude of end-users and companies depended on it. Then Microsoft changed the world (in my opinion) by aggressively marketing and distributing a server-based O/S which allowed multiple users to connect real-time and in one (or multiple) centralized location(s). With that, Microsoft even allowed their O/S to be distributed as a baseline O/S on manufactured PCs such as HP, Dell, Gateway, etc. Thus, they are the leader in the PC industry.

So often we hear the term "Web 2.0" as the newest buzzword regarding the Internet and technology. Some forget that there was a Web 1.0 and Web 1.5. The same can be said for Microsoft, except it wasnt evolved around the Web as it wasn't around back then.

Google has allowed their applications and framework to be used and implemented free of charge (in most cases) and thus has grasped the market share of Internet users while Microsoft still focuses on anti-piracy and licensing issues (you can add Vista to that now). Google has been accused of being somewhat similar to spyware, but has overcome that hurdle. Google focuses on making our lives simpler and allows us to access information easier. This was once said about Microsoft too.

I have no investment or stake in Microsoft, but just think of where society has come since the Windows operating system has been around and related applications. It sure beats doing command line prompts on a black screen with bright green text. As much as I hate to say it, I see Google headed in the same direction as Microsoft, specifically regarding a mass amount of users obstinant to their objectives.

In either case, both companies have changed the way we operate and conduct personal and business objectives. Once again, great post.

Great points - we'll definitely have to see the way the company develops in the future.

So far Google has made all their products free of charge and online which to me is what has always made the Internet great. Free information and services that you can access from anywhere in the world.

Microsoft on the other hand, from what I hear, started out somewhat different. Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I hear they stole the GUI from another company.

Really I don't hate Microsoft like a lot of people do. I just think they are money hungry and it's all about the bottom line profit in their products. Google has developed more into trying to make money from their PPC that they are putting in more and more places but they are continuing to make available more free services and products that are very cost effective.

Thanks for the input and you make some great points that could very well come to pass.

You are correct that Microsoft did steal their GUI from Apple who actually stole it from Xerox.

Nice post, it does make you wonder what is next....nothing stays free forever. So far they have been able to get advertisers to foot the bill.

I like Google when they rank me high. Otherwise I don't. :)

Abraham,

As long as Google operates responsibly, and the word responsible is important here, I don't see the government getting involved. And it shouldn't. Yet, everyone needs to be vigilant about their actions. It wouldn't be the first time when a company abuses its market power.

Very interesting food for thought. I'm not one to jump on the fear-monger bandwagon but this is certainly something to at least be aware of. Thanks for the post.

JUN

2007

Absolutely awesomely powerful read! Can you say conglomerate?

If you or I operated a company (like a utility, food store, etc.) and we controlled over 50% of the market in, say, your home state (whereever you live), do you think the government would be investigating you to determine if you need to be broken up to dilute your power? I would have to say that I believe it would happen. Yet, somehow, Google keeps chugging along gobbling up more and more market share seeminly unimpeded.

Monopolies don't build themselves. They are created because people patronize their services, providing them the income and cash to buy more and more to build a stronger and stronger company. The angle that Google has taken, I believe, is pure genius and has laid the ground work for them to become perhaps the strongest company in the history of the world.

For those of you who say that they have no worries about the information Google possesses, consider this: this company is only as trustworthy as the person at the helm. Consider what could happen if the wrong person (or persons) were to lead the company.

Google's current management team has build a philosophy of one of helpfulness by providing the answers to all of your questions. However, just consider what all of your personal information could provide to someone with less than honorable intentions? Is there anything that they couldn't find out about you? To what purpose could this information be used in the wrong hands?

To all of the conspiracy theorists, this company must give them more food for fodder than they could ever have imagined is possible. If the government could somehow get hand selected individuals, or even a current large conglomerate could take a large position in the company, what could be the consequences?

Something to think about. Personally, I could give a crap about what is going on out there. It is much larger than my capabilities to consider and way beyond my ability to control. I'll keep on living my life and let the consequences be damned. If someone wants to find out something about me, go for it. I am what I am and I'll let it stand for itself.

However, because I was a bit of a rebel rouser when I was young, and the thought of dirty laundry being aired to embarrass one in the public eye, it would definitely deter me from ever running for public office. With the ability to air clandestine movies and pictures, every move, comment and action being aired for the public to scrutinize must surely prevent many people from ever runnning for public office.

Only time will tell if the information that Google possesses will ever be used for less than honorable intentions. By then, it will be too late to do anything about it.

Therefore, keep on Googling, live your life and let the chips fall where they may. If you have to worry about what you are doing and who is going to see it, maybe you might want to reconsider your actions.

Other than than, just have fun...

Great points.

Who knows what the future holds if a new CEO were to take the head of Google who had more than unscrupulous intentions. One could only imagine what could happen if they had ties to any number of governments or government agencies.

Sounds like a great premise for a novel...

You're probably right Jeff - wish I had time to write a novel. Maybe some day when life slows down I'll find an issue such as this, find a house by a quiet lake, get an old typewriter and fill the world with another book =D

Until then someone else can grab this one and do it justice.

JUN

2007

I agree, it is a bit concerning how fast the world has wrapped themselves around google and all of their products! I myself have numerous google services that I am active with on a daily basis...gmail, webmaster tools, earth, google talk, google docs and spreadsheets, blogger, news alerts, analytics, calender, etc.

My main concern....is google going to start charging for any of these services anytime soon?!?!

Hi Abraham, I see what you mean and agree with most of what you say except I don't see any need to regulate Google, the last thing we need is the government policing the net.

Most if not all of the info on Goggle is stuff we have put there ourselves and Google has become so BIG and the defacto search engine for so many of us just because they're so good at what they do. Great post!

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AUG

2007

On the next Austin Powers, Dr. Evil will be the CEO of Google...LOL!!!

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