Google’s search domination began with plan to combat rivals

Google argues the company has won market share because it has the best search engine, not because of a lack of competition. — AFP

Two decades ago, when Google was emerging as an Internet powerhouse, company officials were developing strategies to combat rivals, and eventually landed on a plan to make its search engine the default tool for as many browsers as possible.

In July 2003, Google Chief Economist Hal Varian warned senior executives in an email that Microsoft Corp’s plan to include web search in its Windows operating system "poses a serious threat,” according to evidence presented Tuesday (Sept 12) by the US Justice Department in a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington. Varian said the company should consider ways of retaining users as it develops new product ideas.