(CelebrityAccess) — In a surprise move, Internet giant Google announced it had suspended secondary ticketing company Viagogo from its paid placement search results.
Google said it had found Viagogo had breached the terms of Google’s advertising policy and would begin removing the company’s ad inventory.
The suspension, which goes into effect immediately, could have a major impact on Viagogo’s ability to operate effectively. Where previously, Viagogo had appeared near the top of the page on consumer searches for tickets, it now appears in the standard search rankings.
“When people use our platform for help in purchasing tickets, we want to make sure that they have an experience they can trust,” a Google spokesperson told The Guardian on Wednesday. “This is why we have strict policies and take necessary action when we find an advertiser in breach.”
Viagogo has been a lightning rod for controversy in the secondary ticket market and subjected to enforcement action by the United Kingdom’s Competition & Markets Authority last year and Viagogo was ordered by a court to revise its business practices.
However, the CMA alleges that Viagogo has not fully resolved the complaints and is is ignoring its demands to make changes, prompting the CMA to plan for legal proceedings for contempt of court.
The CMA alleges that Viagogo is still providing deceptive information about ticket availability, incomplete contact information for ticket brokers, and insufficient warning tickets with resale restrictions may not allow entry to concerts and events.
