News.com: The Google Gods: Does search engine's power threaten Web's independence? Just in time for Halloween!
Only a few years ago, when traffic was more evenly distributed among search services, Web sites clamored to get free listings from familiar names such as Lycos and AltaVista. But the dot-com collapse led portals and search engines to sell sponsored links and license editorial results from a third party--a market that Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., has come to dominate since its founding in 1998.
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Google software engineer Matt Cutts said that the search engine business is healthier and more competitive than ever, with many niche providers and international forces. "What we worry about is providing the best results to users; we don't worry about market share," he said. "That will all work itself out."
Thanks, Konstantinos!
Posted by Aaron Swartz on October 31, 2002 11:54 PM