https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56828173 BBC Homepage * Skip to content * Accessibility Help * BBC Account * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * MenuMore Search * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * Music * TV * Weather * Sounds Close menu BBC News Menu * Home * Coronavirus * Video * World * US & Canada * UK * Business * Tech * Science * Stories * Entertainment & Arts More * Health * In Pictures * Reality Check * World News TV * Newsbeat * Long Reads * Business * Market Data * New Economy * New Tech Economy * Companies * Entrepreneurship * Technology of Business * Economy * CEO Secrets * Global Car Industry * Business of Sport Daily Mail owner sues Google over search results Published 14 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Google worker walking into office.image copyrightGetty Images The owner of the Daily Mail newspaper and MailOnline website is suing Google over allegations the search engine manipulates search results. Associated Newspapers accuses Google of having too much control over online advertising and of downgrading links to its stories, favouring other outlets. It alleges Google "punishes" publishers in its rankings if they don't sell enough advertising space in its marketplace. Google called the claims "meritless". Associated Newspapers' concerns stem from its assessment that its coverage of the Royal Family in 2021 has been downplayed in search results. For example, it claims that British users searching for broadcaster Piers Morgan's comments on the Duchess of Sussex following an interview with Oprah Winfrey were more likely to see articles about Morgan produced by smaller, regional outlets. That is despite the Daily Mail writing multiple stories a day about his comments around that time and employing him as a columnist. * Mail on Sunday must publish statement of Meghan copyright win * Supreme Court declares Google's code copying fair * The woman who took on Google and won Daily Mail editor emeritus Peter Wright told the BBC's Today programme that the search engine's alleged actions were "anti-competitive". He suggested that the Daily Mail's search visibility dropped after using online advertising techniques "which were allowing us to divert advertising traffic away from Google to other ad exchanges, which paid better prices - and this was their punishment". "We think it's time to call this company out," he said. The Daily Mail's MailOnline site is one of the world's most-read websites. It has 75 million unique monthly visitors in the US alone, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in New York on Tuesday. 'Meritless claims' A Google spokeswoman said: "The Daily Mail's claims are completely inaccurate. "The use of our ad tech tools has no bearing on how a publisher's website ranks in Google search. "More generally, we compete in a crowded and competitive ad tech space where publishers have and exercise multiple options. The Daily Mail itself authorises dozens of ad tech companies to sell and manage their ad space, including Amazon, Verizon and more. We will defend ourselves against these meritless claims." Separately, Google is facing antitrust lawsuits brought by the US Justice Department and attorneys general in several states. The technology giant has denied abusing its market power and has previously said the ad technology market is competitive. Related Topics * Advertising * Google More on this story * Google handed win in 10-year Oracle court battle Published 5 April * The woman who took on Google and won Published 8 April Top Stories * US launches federal probe into Minneapolis police The justice department announces probe into city police practices after George Floyd murder verdict. Published 6 hours ago * Thousands defy Russian ban on pro-Navalny rallies Published 6 minutes ago * US state offers free vaccines to Canadian truckers Published 6 hours ago Features * Time: A love story coloured by incarceration Time documentary * JD Vance: Trump whisperer turned Senate hopeful JD Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, in Washington DC (file pic - 2017) * Why second Covid wave is devastating India A woman crying outside a crematorium * Relief and tears: 'Finally we can breathe' VideoRelief and tears: 'Finally we can breathe' Reaction in Minneapolis * Five electric car brands to look out for in China. VideoFive electric car brands to look out for in China Car * The lowdown on the international feature Oscar nominees The Man Who Sold His Skin, Better Days, Another Round, Collective, Quo Vadis, Aida? * Surfer's 'shock' reunion with long-lost board. VideoSurfer's 'shock' reunion with long-lost board Surfboard covered in barnacles * The beauty ideal fuelling an illicit drugs trade. VideoThe beauty ideal fuelling an illicit drugs trade A lady in a green dress holding her hips. * The passport helping Denmark open up after Covid Queue for zoo using corona passport Elsewhere on the BBC * Football phrases 15 sayings from around the world football being kicked on a field - Vauxhall image blurred in the background. Most Read * Employee accused of skipping work for 15 years1 * Putin warns West against crossing any 'red line'2 * Black teenage girl shot dead by police in Ohio3 * Spanish man tried for 'killing and eating mother'4 * US state offers free vaccines to Canadian truckers5 * Deadly blast hits luxury hotel in Pakistan6 * Thousands defy Russian ban on pro-Navalny rallies7 * US launches federal probe into Minneapolis police8 * Heathrow refuses to allow extra flights from India9 * Why second Covid wave is devastating India10 BBC News Services * On your mobile * On smart speakers * Get news alerts * Contact BBC News * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * Music * TV * Weather * Sounds * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Get Personalised Newsletters * Why you can trust the BBC * Advertise with us * AdChoices / Do Not Sell My Info (c) 2021 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. [p]