• [Google (GOOG) (GOOGL)](https://www.roic.ai/quote/GOOGL)'s revised proposal would feature a competitor box at the top of EU search results for categories like hotels and airlines, a concession under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
  • The European Commission must decide by late July 2026 whether this addresses allegations of self-preferencing, with fines up to 10% of global revenue at stake.
  • Competitors remain skeptical ahead of a July 8 feedback session, arguing the changes may not level the playing field sufficiently.

Google has submitted a revised proposal to EU regulators that would display a dedicated competitor box at the top of search results, featuring services in categories like hotels, airlines, restaurants, and transport—a concession aimed at resolving antitrust violations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The move comes three months after the European Commission brought formal charges alleging Google systematically favored its own services, such as Google Shopping and Google Flights, over rivals.

Under the new plan, a vertical search service selected through objective and non-discriminatory criteria would receive a prominently positioned box at the top of search results, formatted identically to Google's own service boxes, according to people familiar with the matter. The featured competitor box would contain three direct links curated by the competing service. Other vertical search services would continue appearing in search results but ranked below the featured box, with prominent display available only if users actively click on them.

Google maintains disagreement with the Commission's preliminary findings but stated its willingness to "find a workable solution to resolve the present proceedings," according to a company spokesperson. The proposal was described as a significant shift in how the company displays search results across the EU market, where the DMA's enforcement represents a major regulatory escalation. Efforts to restructure its search practices have hit a snag, however, with several anonymous rivals expressing doubts to Reuters ahead of the July 8 feedback session, arguing the modifications still wouldn't create a level playing field.

Without a deal, the company could face fines up to 10% of its total global revenue, a substantial risk given its search business remains a critical revenue driver. The Commission aims to conclude specification proceedings on interoperability and data sharing within six months, by late July 2026, with preliminary findings expected within three months. In parallel, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority has proposed similar changes requiring Google to ensure fair and transparent ranking of search results, including AI-generated results.

Attempts to reach out for comment from additional competitors were unsuccessful, but industry insiders note that the outcome will establish important precedents for how major technology platforms operate under the DMA's constraints. The simultaneous investigations into AI Overviews, data access, and interoperability create compounding regulatory pressure that could force substantial business model changes. As one source put it, "It's much more of a convergence between regulatory demands and business realities."