> Google doesn't seem to do any rent-seeking (as MS) nor does it try to lock down its platform to prevent any competition whatsoever (as Apple). FRAND is a shitty situation, but I think it's fair to claim even with that, Google is a much less threat to freedom than Apple or MS.
I take it you don't advertise with Google? Google is just like any other company - they want to increase margins on their main revenue streams, and commoditize other areas so other large companies that gain revenue in those spaces are so weak they can't challenge Google.
For a long time, Google was not rent-seeking on their advertising platform, and gained a lot of cred. Then they bought double-click and it's been downhill from there. Google knows they're the biggest/only game in town and their prices (on their main revenue stream) reflect it.
I take it you don't advertise with Google? Google is just like any other company - they want to increase margins on their main revenue streams, and commoditize other areas so other large companies that gain revenue in those spaces are so weak they can't challenge Google.
For a long time, Google was not rent-seeking on their advertising platform, and gained a lot of cred. Then they bought double-click and it's been downhill from there. Google knows they're the biggest/only game in town and their prices (on their main revenue stream) reflect it.