On September 8, 2026, Google implemented significant changes to its search interface across European markets. These updates are a direct response to the EU Digital Markets Act and a €460 million fine imposed on the company in July 2026 for antitrust violations related to self-preferencing.
The new layout features specialized third-party search engines at the top of results. Google has also removed real-time pricing from carousels for flights and hotels, requiring users to click through to external sites to view current rates. The company describes this as the most significant decline in search quality in its history.
User testing indicated that many individuals had to rephrase their queries to obtain relevant results. Previous compliance measures under the Digital Markets Act already led to a 30% drop in direct booking traffic for European businesses, a trend Google expects to worsen.
The Digital Markets Act, which became fully effective in 2024, regulates major tech platforms as gatekeepers. Since 2017, cumulative fines issued by the EU against Google have surpassed €10 billion. The European Commission continues to monitor the company's compliance with these regulations.
