Google reportedly offers to tweak search results to avoid EU fine

Google is reportedly considering changing how search results are displayed in order to avoid paying billions of dollars in fines for violating the European Union's Digital Markets Act. The EU regulators have taken issue with Google's Search and Play Store businesses, claiming that Google favors its own services in search results over third-party options and prevents developers from informing customers of alternative ways of accessing apps. To avoid these fines, Google has proposed to give "vertical search services" (VSS) businesses, such as Expedia or Hotels.com, equal treatment in search results. Google wants to create a separate box for each VSS, which will be populated with results from that VSS's inventory, and will display the winning VSS box in search results based on "objective and non-discriminatory criteria." Results from actual airlines and car rental companies will also be included, either above or below the VSS box, depending on the relevance to the user's query. This proposed change is a significant move by Google, as it seeks to address the EU's concerns and avoid the threat of hefty fines. The outcome of these negotiations with the EU regulators remains to be seen, but it is clear that Google is willing to make concessions to maintain its dominance in the search market.