Google adjusts the display of search results in the EU: “we’ve made a lot of changes… And yet….”

Googling changes the way search results are displayed in Europe. Following complaints from smaller competitors and an ongoing investigation by EU regulators, the company has proposed more changes to address concerns that Google is unfairly favoring its own services, potentially breaking the law. EU law on digital markets (DMA).
“Over the past year, we’ve made many changes to comply with regulations, including significantly redesigning some features and completely removing others in Europe,” said Oliver Bethell, Director, Legal at Google.
“This includes more than twenty adjustments to Google Searchsuch as the introduction of special units and formats to increase the awareness of comparison sites for free in categories such as flights, hotels and shopping, among others,” he noted, adding: “And yet comparison sites emphasize that our changes must be taken even further .”

Which sites have complained against Google

Google has faced pressure from several companies, including price comparison websites, hotels, airlines and small retailers, who claim that recent changes to Google’s search results have reduced traffic to their sites. In response, Google has proposed further adjustments to its European search results.
These include extensive, similarly formatted units that allow users to easily choose between comparison sites and supplier websites. Plus, new formats that allow rivals to display prices and images directly in search results.
New ad units for comparison sites that offer competitors additional opportunities to reach users.
In addition, Google plans to temporarily remove the map of hotel locations and related results in Germany, Belgium and Estonia. This test returns to a simpler format, similar to the old style of “ten blue links”, to assess user preferences.
The European Commission is currently evaluating Google’s compliance proposals. It should be noted that violations of the DMA can result in significant fines.