Google Facing It’s Own Mobilegeddon

As we edge closer to Google’s rollout of their mobile-friendly SEO upgrade (a follow-up to Mobilegeddon) whereby your website will not rank as highly on mobile devices if it is not mobile-friendly by May, Google has been issued a statement of objections by the European Commission, for its abuse of its dominant position on Android operating system and applications.

According to the Press Release issued by the European Commission, it is their “preliminary view that the company has, in breach of EU antitrust rules abused its dominant position by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators.” It means that Google search is pre-installed and set as the default on most Android devices sold in Europe.

Secondly, the commission is concerned their practices appear to close off ways for rival search engines to access the market via competing for mobile browsers and operating systems, stifling competition and restricting innovation in the mobile space.

About 80% of smart mobile devices in Europe and in the world run on Android, the mobile system developed by Google and Google licenses its operating systems to third-party manufacturers.

The commission started proceedings this time last year and has a number of concerns that ultimately lead to the conduct harming consumers from a choice point of view. They have concerns that manufacturers have been granted significant financial incentives to some of the largest smartphone and tablet manufacturers as well as mobile network operators to exclusively pre-install Google Search on all their devices.

Multinational companies have come up against European Law before and have lived to tell the tale. Apple is still waiting for a verdict on the two and half year investigation into their taxes. They claim to have paid ‘every cent of tax’ that is due in Ireland but the investigation is ongoing.

Google has been informed in writing and can examine the documents in the Commission’s investigation file, they can reply in writing or request an oral hearing before the Commission and the Competition Authority. The Commission make a final decision only after Google has exercised its rights of defence.

Meanwhile, it’s best to avoid your own Mobilegeddon. Is your site mobile-friendly? If not, speak to Matrix Internet and take the first steps toward a fully responsive mobile-friendly website.