Google must bring its search results into line with DMA requirements. — Photography Marvin RECINOS/AFP
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is European Union legislation designed to curb the power of large online platforms and promote fair competition in digital markets. In order to comply, Google will have to modify its search engine in Europe.
In a blog post, Google has announced that it has already made more than 20 changes to its search engine, including the introduction of dedicated formats to showcase, free of charge, comparison sites in areas such as flights, hotels and shopping.
But according to Google, these adjustments have had rather unexpected consequences. While online comparison sites have logically benefited from increased visibility, airlines, hoteliers and small retailers have seen traffic to their sites and direct bookings fall by up to 30%.
To redress the balance, Google is now offering standardized formats that allow users to choose between results leading to comparison sites or directly to supplier sites when searching for products, restaurants, flights or hotels. These new formats offer comparison sites and suppliers the possibility of presenting more information about what's on their websites, such as prices and images.
Google also intends to spend a few weeks testing the removal of features such as the display of a map and various other pieces of information when searching for a hotel, initially in Germany, Belgium and Estonia. Instead, users will find a "traditional” list of associated links. Nevertheless, Google is very reluctant to take this step, claiming that removing these useful features will benefit neither consumers nor businesses. In any case, the company hopes to find a solution that satisfies everyone in the long term, while respecting the DMA's requirements.
The DMA has already led to changes in app store policy. Android and iOS smartphones have had to open up to platforms other than the traditional Google Play Store and App Store. In fact, any publisher or organization can now set up its own alternative store to distribute its applications via the channel of its choice. As part of the DMA, Apple is also planning to make further changes to its data portability offer for users migrating from an iPhone to an Android-based device. The idea is to offer a solution that makes it easier to switch all personal data from one phone to another. However, Apple is not expected to communicate on the subject before 2025. – AFP Relaxnews
