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3 - Horizontal Search

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2020

Francesco Ducci
Affiliation:
New York University
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Summary

This chapter explains why horizontal (or general purpose) search should be seen as a natural monopoly. First, it shows that a horizontal search like Google Search is characterized by a cost structure with high fixed costs and very low marginal costs on the supply side, as well as extensive economies of scale generated by data that increase the efficiency of search results in terms of quality-adjusted costs. This chapter then discusses the regulatory implications arising from the natural monopoly framework, including the ability to exercise market power both on the searchers and advertisers’ side, and inventives to leverage market power through discriminatory behavior in vertically related markets.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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  • Horizontal Search
  • Francesco Ducci, New York University
  • Book: Natural Monopolies in Digital Platform Markets
  • Online publication: 30 June 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108867528.003
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  • Horizontal Search
  • Francesco Ducci, New York University
  • Book: Natural Monopolies in Digital Platform Markets
  • Online publication: 30 June 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108867528.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Horizontal Search
  • Francesco Ducci, New York University
  • Book: Natural Monopolies in Digital Platform Markets
  • Online publication: 30 June 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108867528.003
Available formats
×