British camping site in row with Google over search tool block it claims is costing millions

A British internet company claims it is losing millions because Google refuses to host its adverts despite showing those from its bigger rivals.

Pitchup.com, which specialises in outdoor accommodation, has been arguing with Google for more than a year over being excluded from the search engine's Hotel Ads search tool.

The tool, which lets users look for hotel prices within Google search results, is currently available only to large internet accommodation companies such as Expedia and Booking.com. Daniel Yates, the managing director at Pitchup, said: "We've spent blood, sweat and tears over the past seven years building what we think is a pretty good website and we're getting pushed out."

Mr Yates, a former head of paid search at Lastminute.com, said Google told him the tool has been designed for hotel companies and cannot yet support camping websites. Yet when users search "Kanopee Village", a campsite in France, the hotel function appears with links to Google's partners' services.

"The official position means that no one who only deals with campsites can have access to the [Hotel Ads] service," said Mr Yates. "But that means nothing to the users."

Google told Mr Yates that while the tool was being tested it could only work with its partners and could not expand its remit. 

However, in May last year the search giant said it "hoped to expand in the near future".

"The main issue is integration resources which are in short supply. Until we are clear on our direction in these areas we cannot commit to additional development work," Google said. 

Nearly a year on, Google hasn't changed its position and is still testing the feature. The company estimates Google's behaviour is costing it about £1.5m a year, and Mr Yates fears Pitchup could lose as much as 10pc of its business during the peak season for a second successive year.

It is understood since the Telegraph contacted Google the internet giant has approached Pitchup to discuss the problem. 

"Google is obviously a really important channel for any internet business, and we were very successful in organic search in our first years," said Mr Yates. Pitchup is one of the leading camping and alternative accommodation rental sites in Europe. 

Google declined to comment. 

The internet giant is fighting a raft of antitrust cases against the European Commission. The Commission has already charged Google with boosting its own price comparison service over others. Other battles relate to its Android software and its AdSense advertising software.