Google Adjusts EU Search Results to Comply with Digital Markets Act

Google has introduced additional changes to its search results in Europe following complaints from smaller competitors about reduced site traffic due to previous adjustments. These changes come as EU antitrust regulators consider imposing charges under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which prohibits Google from prioritizing its own products and services. The DMA, effective since last year, aims to curtail the dominance of major tech companies.

The recent modifications by Google aim to address the concerns of various sectors, including price-comparison sites, hotels, airlines, and small retailers. These groups have reported a 30% decline in direct booking clicks due to Google’s recent updates. Oliver Bethell, Google’s legal director, stated in a blog post that the company has proposed further changes to its European search results to balance these demands while complying with DMA objectives.

The proposed changes include expanded, equally formatted units that allow users to select between comparison sites and supplier websites. Additionally, new formats will enable competitors to display prices and images on their websites, along with new ad units for comparison sites. Bethell expressed confidence that these proposals effectively balance the challenging trade-offs imposed by the DMA.

In a short test in Germany, Belgium, and Estonia, Google plans to remove the map showing hotel locations and the results beneath it, reverting to the “ten blue links” format. Bethell noted reluctance in taking this step, as removing helpful features may not benefit consumers or businesses in Europe. Google has been under scrutiny by the European Commission since March, with potential DMA violations threatening fines up to 10% of annual global turnover.

Source: Google proposes fresh tweaks to search results in Europe