Google Inc.’s methods for recommending websites are being reviewed by Texas’ attorney general in an investigation fueled by complaints that the company has abused its influence as the Internet’s foremost search engine.

The antitrust inquiry disclosed by Google late Friday is just the most recent sign of the escalating examination facing the company as it enters its teenage years. Since its beginning in a Silicon Valley garage 12 years ago, Google has gone from a quirky startup to one of the world’s most powerful businesses with annual revenue approaching $30 billion (That’s $30,000,000,000.00).

Numerous lawsuits filed in the U.S. also have alleged Google’s search formula is unfair. Google believes Abbott is the first state attorney general to open an antitrust review into the issue.

“We look forward to answering (Abbott’s) questions because we’re confident that Google operates in the best interests of our users,” Don Harrison, Google’s deputy general counsel, wrote in a Friday blog post.

Harrison said that Abbott has asked Google for information about a number of companies, including: Foundem, an online shopping comparison site in Britain; SourceTool, which runs an e-commerce site catering to businesses; and MyTriggers, another shopping comparison site.

So if I read this news article right someone is complaining that Google does not rank them higher than their competition? Maybe these companies should sink their revenue in to more productive channels like ADVERTISING! Google should not be bothered by companies bitching about where they rank. If you want to rank higher or be seen by more internet users, do what everyone else has to do, SEO , SEM, Advertise, Marketing, and so on. Just because these businesses already have staggering revenue they think that complaining t their states Attorney office will help? Or is this just a PR stunt by the Attorneys and States to get some PR?