Google strips real-time pricing from EU travel search results after DMA fine
Following a €460 million DMA fine over self-preferencing in travel and shopping searches, Google has altered its European search results to comply with EU rules. Instant hotel and flight pricing and availability are being removed, replaced by links to specialized search engines and a carousel ranked purely by Google's algorithm rather than business partnerships.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This shows how the DMA is forcing Google to reshape core product features rather than just tweak business practices, and Google is publicly framing compliance as a degradation to build a narrative against regulation. The outcome could set a precedent for how far platforms must go to separate their own commercial interests from search ranking across the EU and potentially other markets watching this fight.
- Google removed instant pricing/availability for hotels and flights in EU search results to comply with DMA rules.
- The change follows a €460 million fine for favoring its own services in travel and shopping searches.
- Google claims the changes hurt user experience and favor intermediaries over local businesses, seemingly pushing back against the regulation.
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Published there as: “Google says Europe is making it roll out degraded travel search results”
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