The provisional findings on search and personalised feeds are as follows:

1.1. Google’s monopoly position and the unequal bargaining position of the media means there has not been an equitable share of value between Google and news publishers in South Africa both historically and currently. This inequity has materially contributed to the erosion of the media in SA over the past fourteen years and will continue to do so unless remedied. The Inquiry has used a variety of measures to determine the additional value extracted by Google search annually from publishers, or value destroyed through conduct that promotes zero-clicks, resulting in a range of estimates from R300m-R500m for 2023. The value will be higher today. The value will also be higher if Google AdTech and SERP/feed YouTube referral benefits are included, but the Inquiry has considered remedies for AdTech and YouTube below which should address the inequity in that market.

Report by the Competition Commission