Google has submitted fresh changes to its search result display in a bid to address mounting complaints from rivals and stave off the possibility of another antitrust fine from the European Union, according to a document seen by Reuters.
The proposal comes just a week before a critical workshop in Brussels that could determine the company’s fate under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The US tech giant, which is owned by Alphabet Inc, has faced increased scrutiny after the European Commission charged it in March with unfairly prioritising its own services—such as Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels—over competitors in search results.
Google is scheduled to present and discuss its revised proposals at a July 7–8 meeting with its rivals and EU regulators in Brussels. The talks are part of the enforcement process under the DMA, the bloc’s landmark legislation designed to limit the dominance of Big Tech firms and foster greater competition and consumer choice.
In its most recent submission—referred to as “Option B”—Google proposes including a separate box on its search results page for what is known as vertical search services (VSS). These include specialised search engines for sectors like hotels, restaurants, transport services, and airlines. According to the document, whenever a VSS box appears, Google would also display another box featuring free links to suppliers in those categories, with the supplier box placed below the VSS box and managed by Google.
“Option B provides suppliers opportunities while not creating a box that can be characterised as a Google VSS,” the document stated.
This proposal is an alternative to one submitted the previous week, which offered to group vertical services and specialised platforms in a top-of-page box.
A Google spokesperson said the company has made “hundreds of alterations” to its products to comply with the DMA. However, the spokesperson also expressed concerns: “While we strive for compliance, we remain genuinely concerned about some of the real-world consequences of the DMA, which are leading to worse online products and experiences for Europeans.”
If found in violation of the Digital Markets Act, Google could face a fine of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
