Google Redesigns EEA Search for DMA, Citing Quality Decline

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google implemented redesigned Search results in the European Economic Area on Sept. 8 to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, warning that the changes would degrade user experience.

The overhaul introduces new dedicated units for aggregators and direct suppliers in certain commercial searches, a move Google said would lower Search quality for Europeans and affect local businesses.

The aggregator unit now appears for hotel, flight, long-distance train or bus, and product queries, featuring listings from eligible vertical search services with the top result expanded by default. A Reuters report also included restaurants in its description of the layout, though Google’s own documentation did not list them.

A separate supplier unit, intended for direct providers such as hotels and airlines, will only appear when an aggregator unit is present, according to Google.

Nick Fox, Google vice president of Search, stated that these modifications would remove helpful features and negatively affect the overall user experience.

The European Commission had fined Google 460 million euros ($494 million) in July and mandated compliance within 60 days. The Commission is currently monitoring the latest changes for adherence to the Digital Markets Act.

Google previously claimed that earlier DMA compliance adjustments had already reduced free direct booking traffic to European businesses by 30 percent. The company anticipates further impact from these most recent changes.

Source: Search Engine Journal