• The Washington Post, Monday, April 23, 2007 10:45 AM

Here's a non-controversial statement: Google dominates the Internet. The quintessential business success story, a technology company built around a simple idea grew into a $150 billion juggernaut--and with unprecedented speed. In just eight years of existence, the search company is worth $150 billion. Success has made it eerily similar to a Web-based version of Microsoft.

Which means that companies like Microsoft and AT&T, and consumer groups across the country have every right to question Google's acquisition of DoubleClick, he says. Microsoft was eventually barred from extending its influence over the software market, so why shouldn't Google, the undisputed leader in Internet advertising? There may never have been a Google in the first place without the government's antitrust against Microsoft. Massive profits enabled Google to outbid its rivals for both YouTube and DoubleClick.

Yes, but so what? YouTube has hardly been a boon to Google thus far. All the search giant has to show for it is a large user base with no viable ad scheme, few real media partners and an even larger copyright lawsuit. It also has no firm brand identity. What does Google want from YouTube? A DoubleClick acquisition wouldn't make Google the leader in advertising delivery, either--though it might make graphical advertising more effective for everyone.

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