Which is Google's primary data gathering method?

Google's primary data gathering method is through its distribution contracts. These contracts establish defaults that lead to searches, creating a significant scale advantage by generating data. Testimony indicated that these contracts prevent rivals from accessing defaults, contributing to Google's exclusionary behavior and allowing it to maintain control over the search market and hinder new entrants^[2].

Additionally, Google utilizes Google panels data, which comprises a sample of around 10,000 U.S. users, though this data is not limited to Google usage. Importantly, Google does not have access to query data from Amazon, highlighting the limitations of its data sources^[1].