Today, the European Commission has formally launched proceedings to assess whether Google applies fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions of access to publishers’ websites on Google Search, which is an obligation under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The Commission’s monitoring work has shown indications that Google, based on its ‘site reputation abuse policy’, is demoting news media and other publishers’ websites and content in Google search results when those websites include content from commercial partners. According to Google, this policy aims to tackle practices that are allegedly meant to manipulate ranking in search results.
The Commission's investigation focuses specifically on Google’s ‘site reputation abuse policy’, and how that policy applies to publishers. This policy appears to directly impact a common and legitimate way for publishers to monetise their websites and content.
Therefore, the Commission is investigating whether Alphabet’s demotions of publishers’ websites and content in Google Search may impact publishers’ freedom to conduct legitimate business, innovate, and cooperate with third-party content providers.
Details
- Publication date
- 13 November 2025
- Authors
- Directorate-General for Competition | Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology