Which? Tips for a better Google search experience
May 13, 2025
In this discussion, Andy Lachlan, a writer for Which? Magazine, uncovers the dark side of search engines like Google. He reveals how spammy ads and scams cloud our search experiences. Andy shares savvy tips on navigating this cluttered landscape and spotting sponsored content. He emphasizes the need for vigilance as misleading information grows. The conversation culminates in a call for consumer advocacy, inviting listeners to engage and stay informed to improve their online searching strategies.
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Google's Search Market Dominance
- Google dominates the UK search engine market with about 90% control.
- Competitors like Bing and DuckDuckGo hold significantly smaller shares, making Google nearly a monopoly.
The Cost of Free Google Search
- Google offers free search but profits by selling data from users' searches to advertisers.
- This data trading fuels a multi-billion dollar market behind the scenes.
Advertising Overload in Search Results
- Search engines show varying proportions of ads: Bing leads with nearly half, Google with 18%, DuckDuckGo with 16%.
- Ads clutter search results, especially on mobile, often impacting user experience negatively.