Last month, Google made notable adjustments to its Search platform in response to the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA). Among more than 20 revisions, the tech giant introduced dedicated units and formats to enhance the visibility of price comparison sites across Europe.
However, these changes have stirred controversy. Google has removed features like flight information displays and reduced map functionality, which, according to the company, have negatively affected European users. This alteration has made it more challenging for airlines, hotel operators, and small retailers to connect with their customers, with some businesses witnessing a 30% decrease in booking clicks.
Google is also experimenting with a new format, reminiscent of the traditional “ten blue links” structure, in countries like Germany, Belgium, and Estonia. Despite engaging with comparison services over the past three years, the company has not yet discovered an ideal format that aligns with the DMA requirements.
Comparison websites have expressed their concerns in an open letter, arguing that Google’s preferential treatment for its own Comparison Shopping Services (CSS) persists. They claim that Google’s paid CSS results on search engine result pages (SERPs) push them down in organic search rankings unless they participate in Google’s CSS.
A recent open letter to Reuters highlights that Google has persistently ignored feedback and continues to offer a non-compliant solution. These websites are now calling on the EU to investigate Google further, urging them to release preliminary findings and impose fines, including recurring penalty payments, as a means to compel Google to adhere strictly to the regulations.
