FTC investigates Google over search market grip

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Google for allegedly using its dominant position in the web search market to drive internet users towards other Google services at the expense of its rivals.

Writing in a blog post, Google fellow Amit Singhal confirmed that the firm had received notification of the investigation and is preparing to work with the organisation to help with the process.

"Yesterday [Thursday 23 June] we received formal notification from the FTC that it has begun a review of our business," he said.

"We respect the FTC's process and will be working with them (as we have with other agencies) over the coming months to answer questions about Google and our services."

Singhal added that Google is confident nothing untoward will be uncovered, arguing that the user experience still dominates its way of thinking and that other search engines exist beyond Google's.

"It's still unclear exactly what the FTC's concerns are, but we're clear about where we stand. Since the beginning, we have been guided by the idea that, if we focus on the user, all else will follow," he said.

"Search helps you go anywhere and discover anything on an open internet. Using Google is a choice - and there are lots of other choices available to you for getting information."