GoKawiilGoogle to alter EU Search results, stripping features to avoid further DMA fines
Google is revising how its Search results appear across the European Union, following an €460 million fine from the European Commission for allegedly favoring its own services over competitors. Under the new format, one specialized comparison engine, such as Expedia or Hotels.com, will appear prominently at the top of results, with two others shown with fewer details, while a carousel for hotels, airlines and restaurants will be stripped of features like real-time pricing. Google's own algorithm will still determine the rankings of these vertical search services.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This marks one of the most concrete responses yet to the EU's Digital Markets Act, which bars dominant platforms from privileging their own products in search rankings. By reducing the visibility of pricing and detail in its own results, Google is effectively trading off user experience to limit regulatory exposure, a tension that could shape how other tech giants like Apple and Meta respond to similar DMA scrutiny.
- Google faces €460 million in EU fines over alleged self-preferencing in Search.
- New search layout will elevate vertical search engines like Expedia while cutting real-time details.
- Google's own algorithm still controls final rankings, raising questions about true compliance with EU fairness rules.
Source: engadget.com — Anna Washenko, 2026-09-08
Published there as: “Google will 'degrade' Search in Europe to avoid EU fines”
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