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Under EU Pressure, Google Overhauls Search Display Rules

By  |  October 14, 2025

Alphabet’s Google has proposed new modifications to its search results in an effort to avert a potential European Union antitrust fine, according to Reuters. The move marks the latest step by the tech giant as it faces scrutiny under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, legislation designed to rein in the influence of major technology firms and foster competition.

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    Per Reuters, Google revised its earlier proposal from July after receiving feedback from specialized vertical search engines—platforms focusing on niche markets such as hotels, flights, and restaurants. Price comparison sites had also voiced dissatisfaction with the company’s previous offers. The European Commission has been investigating Google since March over allegations that it unfairly favors its own services, including Google Shopping, Google Hotels, and Google Flights, over rival platforms.

    Read more: Google Faces New UK Oversight Under Strategic Market Status Rules

    According to Reuters, the proposed adjustments include allowing third-party vertical search services (VSSs) to feature their own result boxes within Google’s main search page. These boxes would display content from the third-party’s inventory and mirror the design and information level of Google’s own boxes. The company said that placement of these boxes would depend on the relevance to a user’s search, with suppliers such as airlines or hotels appearing above or below based on context.

    Google stated that the selection of which results appear would be determined through “objective and non-discriminatory criteria” and pledged that competitors’ data would remain confidential. The company emphasized that it aims to find a fair balance that satisfies regulators while maintaining a useful experience for European businesses and consumers. However, Google also cautioned against excessive changes that could favor “a small set of intermediaries over European businesses who want to sell directly to their customers,” a spokesperson said.

    Source: Reuters