Recode Decode: Jeremy Stoppelman, Yelp CEO

Content Theft

Yelp's CEO, Jeremy Stoppelman, accuses Google of using Yelp's content without permission, leading to significant tension between the two companies. He explains that Google initially promised to drive traffic to Yelp in exchange for content, but later began using Yelp's reviews to enhance its own products, effectively sidelining Yelp's content. This move prompted Yelp to take a stand and testify before Congress about Google's practices.

We're just going to steal their content. So they used their web crawl, because, of course, we have to give them all of our content, their web search monopoly, and they put all of our reviews back into their competitive product.

--- Jeremy Stoppelman

Kara Swisher highlights the ongoing struggle, noting that many companies feel similarly but few speak out publicly 1 2.

   

Consumer Harm

The discussion shifts to how Google's practices may harm consumers by prioritizing its own content over better external options. Jeremy Stoppelman illustrates this with examples where Google's search results mislead users into thinking they are accessing Yelp or TripAdvisor content, when in fact, they are not. This misrepresentation can lead consumers to make uninformed decisions, such as choosing a less qualified service provider.

Google's just completely lost its mind when it comes to focusing on the user.

--- Jeremy Stoppelman

Kara Swisher and Jeremy discuss the broader implications of these practices, emphasizing the need for regulatory scrutiny 3 4.

   

Antitrust Issues

The conversation also explores the legal and regulatory battles surrounding Google's market practices. Jeremy Stoppelman reveals Google's savvy lobbying efforts, which have influenced regulatory decisions in the U.S., while the European Union takes a more aggressive stance. He notes the similarities between Google's current strategies and those of Microsoft in the past, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring fair competition.

There's been a lot of funny dealings in Washington. I think Google is extremely savvy when it comes to lobbying.

--- Jeremy Stoppelman

Despite these challenges, Jeremy remains focused on innovation within Yelp, particularly in mobile app development, as a way to reduce dependency on Google 5 6.