Alphabet’s Google has offered a new round of search result adjustments to address EU antitrust concerns, aiming to avoid a potentially heavy fine under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
The updated proposal comes after criticism from vertical search engines and price comparison sites, which accused Google of self-preferencing by promoting its own services such as Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights. The European Commission has been investigating the company since March and could issue penalties in the coming months.
Google’s new offer includes allowing third-party vertical search services (VSS) to display their own search boxes within results, containing their own listings and using the same format and features as Google’s. Placement will depend on relevance to the query, and selections will be made using objective, non-discriminatory criteria.
The company stressed it will not share competitors’ data and is seeking a “balanced solution” to close the probe. “We remain concerned that further changes to Search would prioritise the commercial interests of a small set of intermediaries over European businesses,” a spokesperson said.
The case is among the first major tests of the DMA, which aims to rein in tech giants’ dominance and open markets to smaller rivals. The EU is expected to decide in the coming months whether Google’s new measures meet compliance standards or if fines — potentially reaching 10% of global turnover — will be imposed.
