Google Overhauls EU Hotel Search to Comply with DMA
Google updates hotel and flight search results across 30 European markets following a €460 million antitrust fine under the Digital Markets Act.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Google updates European travel search for Digital Markets Act
- Results split into aggregator units and restricted supplier units
- EU users lose date filters and live pricing on direct listings
- Changes apply across 30 European markets and AI search modes
Google has overhauled how flight, hotel, and restaurant search results appear for users across the European Union, alongside Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. This major update comes in response to a €460 million, equivalent to $525 million, antitrust fine issued by the European Commission in July due to self-preferencing its own services.
The revamped European interface now divides search listings into two distinct categories to provide clear separation between third-party intermediaries and direct service providers. The new layout features:
- Aggregator Unit: Stacks third-party platforms such as Booking.com and Agoda, with the top-ranked provider automatically expanded by default.
- Supplier Unit: Lists direct providers including individual hotels and airlines.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
However, users interacting with the supplier unit face significant limitations. Within this restricted direct provider section, EU users can no longer filter by dates, view live pricing, or apply descriptive tags. Additionally, Google has completely removed its vacation rentals unit in Europe and confirmed that these adjustments will extend to both AI Overview and AI Mode.
"Google claims the redesign hurts consumers and local businesses by boosting intermediaries"
Google
This regulatory compliance update highlights the ongoing clash between big tech platforms and European antitrust authorities enforcing the Digital Markets Act. By forcing tech giants to separate aggregator platforms from direct suppliers, the EU aims to level the playing field for online travel agencies. However, the stripped-down features in direct listings demonstrate the complex trade-offs platforms make to satisfy strict legal mandates without necessarily improving the end-user experience.
Google argues that the redesign degrades user experience and artificially boosts intermediaries over local businesses. On the other hand, travel-tech advocacy groups counter that a compromised user experience is Google's own design choice, asserting that true compliance requires completely halting self-preferencing practices, particularly within AI search. Meanwhile, search experiences in the United States remain entirely unchanged, continuing to feature Google's robust proprietary hotel unit ahead of third-party platforms.
Source: Skift
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