Google is planning to prominently feature search results from competitor shopping and travel platforms. This proposal aims to satisfy the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and avoid potential penalties.
The DMA seeks to prevent gatekeepers from favouring their own services. Google's proposed solution involves dedicated units and formats to highlight comparison sites for flights, hotels, and shopping. These units will give equal prominence to comparison sites and direct supplier websites. The new formats will also allow rival services to display more detailed information, such as prices and images, directly within search results.
These changes could increase competition and require adaptation from European companies. US companies operating in Europe will also need to adjust their strategies to maintain visibility.