As search becomes something that society depends upon, start treating it as a <i>public utility</i>.<p>&gt; without specifying what metrics Google is and is not allowed to use?<p>Why not? If society depends on something, we regulate it. There are many different possible degrees of regulation, so this is not a boolean condition, even though painting such situations as a boolean choice between pure laissez-faire and <i>nationalizing</i> an industry (instead of merely regulating).<p>If you don&#x27;t like this idea, I suggest that Google (or any other business) should find a way on their own to handle the situation (possibly by making their metrics more available, transparent, <i>and verifiable</i>?), or the choice may eventually be taken out of their hands.