Google might reshuffle search results to try to dodge fines in the EU

"The shift will show top-ranked rival services for hotels, flights, restaurants, and transportation higher up in results, rather than prioritizing Google's own services like Google Flights. It will be rolling out soon across Europe, starting with results for lodgings, with flights and other services following later."

"This update could address one of the core issues the European Commission highlighted when it ruled last year that Google was in violation of the Digital Markets Act, which aims to rein in anticompetitive practices by leading tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Companies that fail to comply with DMA regulations can face fines of up to 10 percent of their annual revenue."

"Google initially pushed back against demands for it to rearrange search results, with Google's head of competition, Oliver Bethell, claiming in a post on LinkedIn last year that early changes to search results forced European users to search longer and pay higher prices. However, Google could potentially face billions of dollars in fines if it doesn't make adjustments to comply with the DMA."

Google is implementing changes to its search result display across Europe following an antitrust violation ruling by the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act. The company will prioritize top-ranked competitor services for hotels, flights, restaurants, and transportation above its own services like Google Flights. The rollout begins with lodging results, followed by flights and other services. This adjustment addresses core concerns raised in the DMA ruling, which targets anticompetitive practices by major tech companies. Non-compliance risks fines up to 10 percent of annual revenue. Google initially resisted these changes, but faces potential billions in penalties without compliance adjustments.

Read at The Verge