Google began rolling out, from September 8, 2026, new search results pages in Europe to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This development particularly affects searches related to hotels, flights and transportation.
Google is revising the visibility accorded to its services such as Google Shopping, Google Flights and Google Hotels, which had been privileged in the results compared to rivals.
The American group now foregrounds an aggregation unit aimed at online travel agencies, comparison engines and meta-searches, alongside a unit dedicated to direct suppliers. Eligible aggregators can thus display their results, including photos, prices and information about the establishments.
In parallel, some features are reduced. According to Reuters, the new results feature modules with fewer details, and real-time prices are no longer shown in certain carousels.
Google says these changes degrade the user experience and could favor comparison sites like Booking.com or Expedia at the expense of companies that only have a direct link.
Google is revising the visibility accorded to its services such as Google Shopping, Google Flights and Google Hotels, which had been privileged in the results compared to rivals.
The American group now foregrounds an aggregation unit aimed at online travel agencies, comparison engines and meta-searches, alongside a unit dedicated to direct suppliers. Eligible aggregators can thus display their results, including photos, prices and information about the establishments.
In parallel, some features are reduced. According to Reuters, the new results feature modules with fewer details, and real-time prices are no longer shown in certain carousels.
Google says these changes degrade the user experience and could favor comparison sites like Booking.com or Expedia at the expense of companies that only have a direct link.
This evolution comes after the €460 million fine imposed on Google in July by the European Commission for favoring its own services in search results. The group had 60 days to comply, under penalties that could reach up to 5% of its daily worldwide turnover.
Google says its previous DMA adaptations have already led to a 30% drop in free and direct traffic to European businesses.
Over nearly twenty years, Google has racked up €10.38 billion in antitrust fines in the EU, according to Reuters.
Google says its previous DMA adaptations have already led to a 30% drop in free and direct traffic to European businesses.
Over nearly twenty years, Google has racked up €10.38 billion in antitrust fines in the EU, according to Reuters.
