Google to Test EU Search Changes Boosting Travel Rivals

Google is set to begin testing modifications to its search results across Europe in the coming weeks, aiming to boost visibility for competing services in travel and hospitality queries as part of efforts to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act.

The changes, described by a person with direct knowledge of the plans, will prioritize top-ranked vertical search engines for categories such as hotels, flights, and restaurants. These rival platforms, which specialize in bookings and price comparisons, will appear by default near the top of results pages alongside Google's own offerings, rather than lower down. For instance, searches for accommodations in Paris or flights to Berlin would feature prominent links to competitors, with dynamic data from airlines, restaurants, and transport providers displayed below or interspersed. The initial phase will focus on lodging-related searches before expanding to flights, dining, and other areas, though specific timelines remain undisclosed.

The initiative follows preliminary findings from the European Commission in March, which alleged that Google's search engine unfairly favors its own services over rivals, in violation of the...