• by Laurie Sullivan  @lauriesullivan, August 11, 2011

In a relentless attempt to chip away at Google's credibility, FairSearch.org, a coalition of travel sites and technology companies, has put together a video dubbed "Bob's Adventures in Searchville." The latest installment, scheduled to air during national cable news show "Fox & Friends" on Friday at 8:55 a.m. EST, depicts Google as a villain.

The coalition FairSearch.org was formed by Expedia, Kayak, Microsoft, Sabre Holdings and Farelogix and others after Google announced the purchase of ITA Software, which provides airline flight data. The group opposes Google's purchase of the company, and has since created a steady stream of derogatory content, including a research paper disputing the company's economic impact on business.

The video accuses Google of hurting small businesses facing new challenges during troubling economic times. The character Bob sells lemonade, rather than Kool-Aid, at a stand -- but his customers seem to be buying elsewhere, according to the narrator.

FairSearch.org points to challenges that Google creates from limiting competition at a cost to small businesses. The challenges are "in the form of the Google Tax, as the company misuses its power," limiting competition and driving up advertising prices. "At the end of the day, it is these businesses, their employees and their customers who ultimately bear the burden of this tax," according to the organization.

In one of the first videos, FairSearch.org makes the accusation that Google would have the ability to manipulate the search market for travel inquiries by acquiring ITA. The group feared that Google would place its own search results at the top of each query, steering consumers toward big advertisers or a favored partner to book tickets, even if it's not the lowest fare.

The video points to Google sending searchers to Google News rather than newspaper sites, Google Maps rather than Mapquest, or Google Shopping rather than retail sites. It also gives Google a little more knowledge of each consumer who searches on google.com, according to FairSearch.org.