Google is implementing significant changes to its search results in Europe to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company must meet the regulatory requirements by September 23, following a 60-day compliance window. Failure to adhere to these rules could result in fines of up to 5 percent of Google's global revenue.
The updated search interface for European users will remove features such as instant pricing and availability for flights and hotels. Instead, the top of the page will feature links to specialized search engines, followed by a carousel of listings that lack real-time data. Rankings will now be determined by Google's search algorithm rather than business partnerships.
Google claims these adjustments will negatively impact the user experience and reduce traffic to local businesses. The company previously reported a 30 percent decline in direct booking traffic following earlier EU-mandated changes in 2024. Google notes that users are currently retyping search queries more frequently under the new format.
The European Commission maintains that Google's previous display practices created an unlevel playing field for competitors. While the company continues to oppose the DMA regulations, it is proceeding with the rollout across the EU. These modifications to travel search results will not be applied to other regions globally.
