15:15 - 8.09.2026

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September 8, Fineko/abc.az. Google has implemented major changes to its search results across Europe to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) following a €460 million ($534 million) antitrust fine in July. The company warned that these mandatory adjustments represent the largest quality downgrade in its 29-year search history.

The updated layout prioritizes vertical search aggregators like Booking.com and Expedia at the top of search pages, pushing direct merchant links and local business contacts lower down. Furthermore, key features such as real-time pricing indicators have been removed. Google confirmed that these changes degrade user experience in Europe and favor intermediaries, while users outside the EU remain unaffected.