Google To Fix Ad Search Limits Affecting Yahoo In Japan

Japan's antitrust watchdog wants Google to fix its advertising search restrictions, which are affecting Yahoo’s service in the country, according to a media report on Tuesday.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has found that Google’s policies undermine fair competition in the advertising sector. The commission made the revelation in a statement based on its recent study.

Yahoo Japan has been practicing keyword-targeted search advertising services using Google’s technology since it collaborated with the Japanese social media platform Line in 2010. However, the FTC alleged that the two companies were restricted by Google.

Google had sealed Yahoo Japan in an agreement restricting its ability to compete in targeted search ads, FTC added.

Meanwhile, according to a report, Google dropped the restrictions after the FTC’s probe, which was focused on understanding the tech company’s role in violation of the Anti-Monopoly Law.

In a statement, Google confirmed its complete cooperation with the commission’s investigation, which found the search engine major has not violated the Anti-Monopoly Law. 

Google has committed to offering commission directives providing valuable search functions to Japanese users and advertisers, the report added.

Meanwhile, the commission has not imposed any penalty or restriction on Google, which remains popular among Japanese consumers. However, the watchdog will review its service for the next three years, ensuring it carries the promised changes.