Google reportedly offers to tw... Note
Engadget

Google reportedly offers to tweak search results to avoid EU fine

Google is contemplating alterations to its search results to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and avoid hefty fines. The EU regulators are concerned about Google's potential favoritism towards its own services, particularly in Search and the Play Store. A major concern revolves around Google Search's presentation of results, which allegedly prioritized Google's services like Google Flights and Hotels. To address these concerns, Google proposed allowing vertical search services (VSS) to display their results in a dedicated box within search results. Google's own services will also be presented in similar boxes, with the selection of the "winning" VSS box determined by impartial criteria, and the search results from airlines and car rentals companies are also displayed in a box. This proposal aims to provide VSS businesses equal treatment in search results. The changes are intended to level the playing field and appease regulators investigating Google's practices. The DMA aims to curb the monopolistic power of tech giants, like Google and Apple. These changes are being implemented due to the pressure from the DMA and the threat of significant fines. Apple has already made changes to its platform due to similar pressures. Whether Google's proposed changes meet the EU's requirements and satisfy the regulators' concerns remains uncertain.
CdXz5zHNQW_TILIEIowsZ.jpeg