Google alters European search results to comply with EU antitrust rules

Google rolled out sweeping changes to how its search engine works across Europe on September 8, redesigning results pages to give rival services more prominent placement. The move follows a €460 million fine from the European Commission and looming compliance deadlines under the Digital Markets Act. Google, for its part, is being remarkably dramatic about the whole thing, calling these adjustments the biggest quality reduction in its search history. What actually changed The core of the overhaul involves how Google handles what regulators call “vertical search services,” meaning specialized search tools for things like shopping, travel, and price comparisons. Previously, Google had a habit of putting its own versions of these tools front and center. The EU decided that was anticompetitive. Under the new design, third-party vertical search services now get prioritized placement in European search results. Google’s own integrated features have been downgraded, resulting in a search experience that looks and feels noticeably different from what users in the US or other markets see. The European Commission handed down the €460 million penalty on July 23 specifically for self-preferenci...