Key Points
- Google has adjusted its search formats to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
- Airlines for Europe support Google’s horizontal layout with blue boxes for fairness.
- Airlines stress the need for price consistency in graphics and boxes. Indicative dates for flight bookings could degrade the user experience.
- If no agreement is reached, Google may revert to the old 10-blue links format.
Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google has recently adjusted its search result formats to align with European Union tech legislation, known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This move has garnered approval from the lobbying group Airlines for Europe, which includes prominent members such as Air France KLM and Lufthansa.
Google has been rolling out various changes to its search results to balance the conflicting demands of different sectors, including price-comparison sites, hotels, airlines, and small retailers. The latest set of adjustments was announced last month.
In a letter dated December 20 to the European Commission, Airlines for Europe expressed their willingness to compromise to find a DMA-compliant solution promptly. The group endorsed Google’s proposal for a horizontal layout featuring same-sized boxes for airlines and comparison sites in search results, distinguishing them with the color blue from other elements on the page. They stressed the importance of consistency in prices displayed in search results graphics and boxes.
However, Airlines for Europe raised concerns about Google’s plan to use indicative dates rather than specific dates for flight bookings. They highlighted that exact dates are crucial for consumers looking for air travel and argued that this change could significantly degrade the user experience for consumers searching for flights.
Google has indicated that it may revert to an older format of 10 blue links in search results if it cannot agree with its rivals, such as airlines and price comparison sites, on a compliant format that does not favor its products.
