Google favours ‘in-house’ search results

Google faces having to offer users in Europe more choice of other specialized search engines after Brussels investigators found its results were favoring its in-house services to the detriment of consumers.

One of the European Commission’s primary concerns, according to officials involved, is the visibility in search results of rival so-called “vertical search” services – in areas such as maps, finance or weather – that may provide more relevant results to a query. This specific finding indicates that alongside widely expected concessions to more clearly label Google’s own services, the US group will also need to offer solutions that give more prominence to rival specialist search services and consumers clearer alternatives. Google is this week submitting its final offer of concessions to the Commission, which aim to head off formal antitrust charges and a hefty fine. This is the first time Google has bowed to regulatory pressure over its search business but rivals including Microsoft fear the deal will still let Google off the hook.