TheMadScientist - 12:43 am on Jan 25, 2010 (gmt 0)

to me, that is unfair. because that is an example of google highjacking the serps for the own benefit.

Unfortunately, that's business, and if you didn't use the top spot for your own product on your own site I'd wonder what's wrong with you... I'm not a big Google fan right now, but at the same time business is business and as I've posted previously, what tedster said in different words: Placing your income in the hands and at the mercy of a business you have no control over doesn't seem like a very good plan to me...

There's no requirement for Google to send anyone traffic. They're obligated to their shareholders, not you or your site, or even serving SERPs at all if they can make more money doing something else. Again, they are not obligated to serve search results in any way shape or form and they certainly are not obligated to give another site top billing if they can make more money and retain their visitors by serving their own first.