Google reshapes EU travel search under Digital Markets Act
European users may lose instant pricing and availability features as Google rolls out changes ahead of a 23 September compliance deadline.
Google is changing travel-related search results in the European Union to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, following a reported €460 million penalty over alleged preferential treatment of its own services and commercial partners.
The changes may replace instant pricing and availability for hotels and flights with links to specialised search services, followed by simplified listings for hotels, airlines and restaurants. The revised listings will not include real-time pricing or availability.
Google’s Nick Fox told Reuters, as reported by Ars Technica, that the changes would degrade the user experience, boost online intermediaries at the expense of local businesses and remove features users rely on. Google says its company-run testing found users preferred the previous results, although those claims have not been independently verified.
The changes are still being introduced and Google has not provided an exact rollout timetable. The company has reportedly been given until 23 September to comply. Under the DMA, failure to meet the requirements could expose Google to a maximum fine of up to 5 per cent of global revenue.
The revised results will apply to European Union users and not other regions, according to the source material. Google said earlier EU-mandated changes reduced free direct-booking traffic to businesses by 30 per cent in 2024.
