Rivals Criticize Google's Search Result Changes, Urge EU Antitrust Action

[Whitey]

Several companies are now calling out Google over its recent search algorithm changes, claiming they unfairly prioritize Google's own services. This has sparked accusations of monopolistic practices, with critics urging the EU to take swift antitrust action to protect competition. This stance will likely attract others to join the fray.

One thing that stands out to me is the discussions and experiments that are going on to alter the formats to comply with the the EU Digital Markets Act (VOSTEN)

Last month, it announced its latest proposal, which includes expanded and equally formatted units to allow users to choose between comparison sites and supplier websites.

It may also bring back its old "ten blue links" format from years ago as an alternative if it can't agree with its rivals. This format is now being tested in Germany, Belgium and Estonia
[reuters.com...]

There is also a link in the article to Google's proposals [reuters.com...] to adjust their results.

[Whitey]

Google responded with this:

A return to the format of 10 blue links in search results from years ago could reduce user traffic to hotels, Google said on Thursday, as it seeks to balance demands from price comparison websites and hotels in trying to comply with EU tech rules.

[msn.com...]

I don't know how a search engine that depends on advertising can work that makes everybody happy - users and websites. Search, by it's very definition requires lengthy effort to find what you want, and present what you have. I predict things will become fragmented. Niche and mega "Walled gardens" in e-com and knowledge, linked to live data and personalization, look likely to be strongly emerging imo

[tangor]

Isn't this a "rinse and repeat" allegation getting several years old by now?

[Whitey]

The difference is the recent EU Digital Markets Act creation.

[engine]

Here's the thing with this: Google has the right to withdraw its services any time. It doesn't need to serve a specific market, although, unlike the pulling out of news in certain countries, it wouldn't make sense removing all those lovely clicks and sponsorship $.
It, of course, wants to make money, but to favour its own services instead of others it's only going to make regulators look more closely at any company with a dominant position.

It can solve the problem by complying with regulators: job done.

I really can't see the "ten blue links" coming back any time soon, although, it would be an inspired move if Google did.

[christianz]

There is no reason why Google Search should be legal in EU. Especially with the new administration which is openly hostile towards Europe.

[RedBar]

There is no reason why Google Search should be legal in EU

That's a strange claim, how do you justify that?

[EditorialGuy]

Sure, let's have a trade war. U.S. bans TikTok, EU bans Google, and so on and so forth.

[engine]

>a trade war

Nobody wins in a trade war.
Humans have traded for millennia.
International trading will always work by marketing products and services where there is demand that cannot be met locally.
All that's needed is to meet market demands and local laws, whether it's a physical product, or an online service.
Competition is good, whereas market dominance beyond a certain point becomes unfair to competition, and then consumers lose out.

[dolcevita]

Bringing back the old 'teen blue links' would be more than fair on Google's part, at least to somewhat address the label of their own egoism and greed. It would show some willingness to support webmasters and publishers