Google to Modify Search Results in Europe After Complaints from Rivals

Brussels, November 26, 2024 – Google has announced plans to adjust the way it displays search results in Europe, following complaints from smaller competitors who claim that changes made by the company have led to reduced traffic to their websites. The adjustments come as European Union regulators continue their investigation into whether Google has violated the EU’s strict tech rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA, which came into effect last year, aims to curb the dominance of major tech companies like Google by prohibiting them from favoring their own products and services in search results. Google’s proposed changes follow concerns raised by rivals, including allegations that the company’s recent tweaks to its search algorithm have resulted in unfair competition.

Under the new regulations, Google must ensure that its search engine does not prioritize its own services over those of competitors, a move designed to level the playing field for smaller firms. The European Commission has been closely monitoring Google’s practices, as part of its broader efforts to rein in Big Tech’s influence across the continent.

The tech giant, which holds a dominant share of the European search engine market, is now working to address these concerns while complying with the provisions of the DMA. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact its search results and the broader digital marketplace in Europe.

The adjustments are expected to reshape the way users in Europe experience search results, with a greater emphasis on non-Google services and content. However, the full extent of the changes will become clearer in the coming weeks as Google implements its modifications.