If Google Pulls Its Search Engine Out of Australia, What Next?

Google has threatened to remove its search engine from Australia if the Federal Government goes ahead with its proposed digital media code. Responding to the government’s plans to make Google pay news outlets for linking to their websites, Google Australia’s managing director, Mel Silva, stated that the search engine giant would have no choice but to stop making Google Search available in Australia.

If that happens, what’s next for Australia’s Digital Marketing world? Clixpert Digital Agency in Sydney has put together this article to give you all the facts and what the future looks like if Google ends up leaving Australia so you can be prepared.

What Will Happen if Google Pulls Out?

There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding this issue. So, let’s break it down and clarify things. If Google does leave Australia, we will no longer be able to use google.com.au or google.com for our Internet searches. But other services and tools under Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc will not be severed. So, platforms, services and tools such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Maps will still be available.

One of the biggest concerns for Google is that pulling out of Australia might affect its position as the market leader in online advertising. Google Search utilises user data to tweak and improve the platform, using the data to help Google Ads perform better as well. If Google Search is no longer available, Google will miss out on that crucial data that provides insight into the search behaviours of Australians. To be clear, businesses will still be able to advertise their services and products on other Australian websites using Google Ads service.

What Are the Alternatives to Google?

While Google is the biggest Search Engine, contributing to 94% of the online search market in Australia, there are alternatives that we can consider.

Bing is a Search Engine developed by Microsoft. It is the second most popular Search Engine platform next to Google.

Yahoo is another alternative. Yahoo was one of the earliest Search Engines and has been around for many decades. Similar to Google, Yahoo also offers an email service.

DuckDuckGo, Qwant, Startpage, Swisscows and Ecosia are other newer Search Engine alternatives that have cropped up over the years. All these Search Engines were developed to tackle the growing concerns over Google and Microsoft using user data for machine learning and to provide more customised search results. Alternatives like DuckDuckGo and others promise a privacy-friendly search, with no trackers used to collect and store your data.

In addition to privacy, Search Engines like Ecosia are also focused on bettering the environment. For instance, Ecosia donates 80% of its profit to planting trees and aiding reforestation efforts to make the world a cleaner and greener place. The company also relies on 200% renewable energy to run their servers and claims that each search on their platform results in the removal of 1kg of CO2 from the atmosphere.

What’s the Solution?

Industry pundits have recommended that the best solution for this issue would be for the government and Google’s representative to sit down and negotiate and come to a compromise where both parties meet in the middle. While they hash it out, all we can do is prepare ourselves and stay informed so we can act proactively to the changing circumstances.

Clixpert has been in the Digital Marketing industry for over a decade. If you need a dynamic, driven and highly skilled team of experts to handle all your Digital Marketing needs, then get in touch with us today on 1300 254 973 to know about our services and attractive packages.