[squiggleblaz]

Other companies already do provide search tools. They're widely regarded as not being as good as Google's. Since other search companies are not covered by this code because they are not dominant, they will have an incentive to remain non-dominant, which implies that they will have an incentive to not significantly improve their algorithm.

Obviously leaving the market will not be great for Google, and staying in the market will not be great for Google. This is from their perspective an entirely crappy situation.

Moreover, the entire situation for Australian web users will be harmed by this.

But the fact of the matter is, the Australian government doesn't care about Australia web users, Australian businesses, or American web search companies. They do not care about free markets or equitable remuneration.

Their primary interest is in a certain American media company, because to get the American citizen who heads that American media company on your bad side means you lose government.

[clouddrover]

> Moreover, the entire situation for Australian web users will be harmed by this

How? There are other search engines to use. I don't use Google search. I haven't missed it.

[squiggleblaz]

> How? There are other search engines to use. I don't use Google search. I haven't missed it.

Well, I think there's a lot of disagreement about whether DDG or Bing are adequate. I use DDG most of the time, only rarely searching standard Google (tho often searching Google Scholar). If Google disappeared, I'd be fine; I'd simply get more precise with my searches.

The reason I claim it will harm Australian web users is because I have argued that it will motivate web search providers to make their product no more competitive than the market average. If their product is more attractive than anyone else's, then they risk becoming dominant and subject to the restriction. Consequently, the search engine space in Australia will always lag significantly compared to the space in other countries.

It's not the absence of Google Search that will harm Australia, it is the presence of a rule that makes exceptionalism costly.

[Clewza313]

Speaking as a DDG user, I "shell out" (!g) to Google multiple times a day because the results it offers are often hopeless.