TechCapsules

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Alphabet Inc.'s Google is planning to propose a significant overhaul of its European search results to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The move aims to give greater visibility to competitors' shopping and travel services. According to a recent report, Google intends to introduce a prominent box at the top of its search pages, displaying ranked offerings from rival price-comparison websites. This box will allow users to either proceed directly to third-party sites, such as Expedia or Booking.com, or click on individual listings that lead to hotel or airline pages. It is reported that 65% of the plans are yet to be made public, but sources close to the matter have revealed that the most relevant site, as determined by Google's ranking algorithm, could be featured in the box. A drop-down menu will offer links to other platforms, including Google's own comparison tools. In an alternative version of the interface, the company would show a basic list of direct links to shopping or travel providers beneath the main results. This proposed revamp is Google's latest attempt to placate EU regulators, who have warned the tech giant that it is at risk of violating the DMA by favouring its own services, such as Google Flights, over those of its competitors. The European Commission's concern stems from longstanding complaints that Google uses its market dominance to suppress competition. Last year, Google lost a legal battle over a €2.4 billion fine levied by the EU for similar behaviour related to its shopping services. This case has come to symbolise Brussels' tougher stance on digital monopolies.