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Google Said to Test EU Search Changes to Elevate Rivals Under DMA Scrutiny

An anonymously sourced plan would surface top-ranked vertical search engines by default to address alleged self-preferencing under the Digital Markets Act.

Overview

  • Reuters, citing a person with direct knowledge, reports the trial will start with lodging queries across Europe before extending to flights and other services.
  • Search pages would present both Google results and rival vertical search services, with the highest‑ranked competitors shown by default.
  • Listings from hotels, airlines, restaurants and transport providers that supply real‑time data feeds would appear either above or below the rival‑services list.
  • The move follows EU charges under the DMA last March after rivals deemed Google’s earlier remedies insufficient.
  • Businesses criticized prior European experiments that stripped maps and hotel modules for causing up to 30% drops in free direct booking clicks, while DMA fines can reach 10% of global revenue and the European Commission declined comment.