Microsoft CEO testifies that Google’s power in search is ubiquitous
One way Google maintains their monopoly is that many websites block <i>all</i> bots except for the Google indexing bot.<p>This makes it literally impossible for anyone to make a competing search engine because millions of doors are slammed in their face. There is no practical way to <i>negotiate</i> access at this scale either leaving no options for small startups — e.g.: AI-based search!<p>One possible anti-monopoly measure would be to force Google to mask the identity of their bots. E.g.: force them to use a random IP address pool that third parties can also use without their permission.<p>IMHO breaking up corporations is a bit heavy-handed and not the only remedy available.