Ryan points out The Google gods – Tech News – CNET.com
“Pragmatists in the industry even say its dominance in Web search gives Google a new responsibility to maintain fair access to as many sites as possible, leading some to suggest that it be regulated as a quasi-public agency. Last week, for example, an Oklahoma marketing firm filed suit against Google in federal court charging that Google unfairly began listing the company lower in search results.
“So many people are dependent on Google’s free editorial traffic that it’s like food out of their mouths to lose ranking,” said Danny Sullivan, who runs Searchenginewatch.com. “Search engines are not in the business of supporting people’s companies. But if they are going to provide editorial, they need to provide support. ”