EU investigates Google's news search ranking policy
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Google's search ranking policy, alleging it may unfairly downrank news publishers' content under the guise of spam prevention, thereby reducing their revenue during a difficult period for the media industry. Google maintains the policy protects users from spam and low-quality content. The investigation could result in fines up to 10% of Google's global revenues or structural remedies.
What happened
The European Commission opened a formal investigation into whether Google automatically ranks content from certain news media lower in search results when those sites also display content from commercial partners, according to its spam prevention policy introduced last year.
Google's policy is designed to prevent spam where spammers pay news publishers to include unwanted links that leverage the publishers' reputation to rank higher in search results. Google defends the policy as protecting users from misleading and low-quality content and deceptive practices.
Reported impact
News media sources risk losing significant revenue streams during a critical period for the media industry due to the lower ranking of their content in search results, according to European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribiera.
Index analysis
The European Commission treats Google as a gatekeeper under Digital Markets Act rules, requiring strict compliance with competition regulations.
Governance controls
The investigation is expected to be completed within 12 months and could result in fines of up to 10% or more of Google's global revenues, or more severe measures including breaking up or selling parts of the company if violations are confirmed.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.