Google offers to tweak search results as EU antitrust fine looms
Google proposes identical features and equal-format search result boxes for rivals to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act, aiming to avoid a multibillion-euro antitrust fine.
- Google has offered to make further changes to its search results in its latest attempt to avoid a European Union antitrust fine, and it risks a fine in the coming months, Reuters reported.
- Regulators flagged concerns that the European Commission scrutinised Google for allegedly favouring Google Shopping, Google Hotels and Google Flights, prompting the company to modify its July proposal after vertical search engines' criticism.
- The proposal would create a VSS box for each vertical search service, with suppliers placed above or below based on query relevance; Google said bids would be objective and rivals’ data kept private.
- Google said it was keen to find a balanced solution and end the EU probe but warned of risks, while a Google spokesperson said further changes could favour intermediaries over European businesses.
- Under the Digital Markets Act, price comparison sites and vertical search engines criticised Google's previous proposals, which aim to limit Big Tech's power and increase user choice.
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14 Articles


Document: to avoid an EU fine, Google offered to tweak its search results to show vertical search engines in their own box on Search
Foo Yun Chee / Reuters: Document: to avoid an EU fine, Google offered to tweak its search results to show vertical search engines in their own box on Search — Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google has offered to make further changes to its search results in its latest attempt to avoid a European Union antitrust fine, according to a document seen
Google Proposes New Search Changes Amid Threat of Fresh Fine Under EU Digital Rules - The Capitol Forum
Google is proposing additional changes to results for shopping queries in its dominant search engine amid pressure to dodge a potential fine from the European Commission under the EU’s digital rules, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
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