Google rolls out changes to search results in the EU to comply with the DMA, saying they mark the largest reduction in quality of service in Search's history (Foo Yun Chee/Reuters)
ThinkingNews Desk · how this was written
Google has altered its European search results to comply with the Digital Markets Act, describing the changes as the biggest decline in search quality ever recorded. The new layout places a specialised search engine first, followed by two additional listings, and a carousel of hotels, airlines and restaurants that no longer shows real-time prices. These adjustments aim to meet regulatory requirements while preserving core functionality.
Written from all 4 reports below, not from any single one.
How it was reported
- TechMeme·Google rolls out changes to search results in the EU to comply with the DMA, saying they mark the largest reduction in quality of service in Search's history (Foo Yun Chee/Reuters)
Google has implemented alterations to its EU search results to meet the Digital Markets Act, describing the modifications as the biggest decline in Search quality ever recorded. The changes affect how results are displayed and ranked, aiming to comply with the new regulatory framework while preserving core functionality.
- The Next Web·Google made search worse in Europe, and said so out loud
Google restructured European search results to meet a European Commission order, placing a specialised search engine first, then two additional listings, and a carousel of hotels, airlines and restaurants that no longer displays real-time prices. The change, described by a Google official as the biggest quality drop in the search engine’s 29-year history, favors price-comparison sites such as Expedia and Booking.com. The rollout satisfies a 60-day deadline following the Commission’s €460 million fine for self-preferencing under the Digital Markets Act.
- Ars Technica·Google complies with EU rules for travel searches, says the new results stink
Google altered its search results across the EU to meet the Digital Markets Act, removing preferential placement of its own travel and shopping services. The changes push partner-linked offers to the top of results and push organic listings far down the page, which Google says dramatically lowers search quality for European users.
- Engadget·Google will 'degrade' Search in Europe to avoid EU fines
Google will modify EU Search results by placing a single specialized vertical engine at the top, followed by two others with reduced detail, and moving hotel, airline and restaurant carousels below them without real-time pricing. The company says the changes will cause the largest service-quality decline in its history, already linked to a 30% drop in direct booking traffic for European businesses.
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