Tue Nov 26 07:37:36 UTC 2024: ## Google Proposes Further Search Result Changes to Avert EU Antitrust Penalties
**BRUSSELS** – Google announced Tuesday that it is proposing further alterations to its European search results, aiming to appease smaller competitors who claim recent algorithm changes have significantly reduced their website traffic. The move comes as the tech giant faces potential hefty fines from the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Smaller businesses, including price comparison sites, hotels, and airlines, reported a 30% drop in direct bookings following previous Google adjustments. In response, Google’s legal director, Oliver Bethell, detailed new changes in a blog post. These include expanded, equally formatted search units allowing users to easily compare offerings from various sources, new formats showcasing competitor prices and images directly within search results, and dedicated ad units for comparison websites.
Bethell stated that these changes aim to balance the requirements of the DMA, which prohibits Google from favoring its own products and services, with the needs of smaller businesses. However, the company also announced a limited test in Germany, Belgium, and Estonia, reverting to a simpler, “ten blue links” search format, temporarily removing map integrations for hotels. Bethell acknowledged reluctance to implement this change, stating that removing helpful features is not beneficial to consumers or businesses.
The announcement comes as Google faces ongoing scrutiny from the European Commission, with potential DMA violations carrying fines up to 10% of global annual turnover. The company’s actions suggest a proactive attempt to preempt further penalties and address concerns about its market dominance in Europe.
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