If I search "Kleenex" on Google, I'm asking Google to find me Kleenex, not some ads. If Google is going to start listing things in highest-to-lowest bid, then it stops being a search engine and starts becoming an auction house of links.
Certain types of product have become directly linked to a product name, yes. Google is smart enough to know this, though. If I google for my non VC funded product name, which is unique, why should the first result be for a direct competitor with deep pockets in advertising?
This would be fine if Google embraced their dependance on ads, but Google still labels itself as a “search engine”.
Isn't this more of a protection for established players? ie if your product is a GitHub alternative, should you be allowed to buy ads targeting ppl who search for Github to build awareness?
