In response to an antitrust enforcement decision by the European Union, Google has introduced changes to its search results for flights and hotels within Europe. This update features an overhauled interface aimed at ensuring compliance with EU regulations.
New Display Features
The updated search results now distinguish between two types of units when users search for flights, hotels, or restaurants. The first is an “aggregator unit”, which prominently displays a selection of third-party services like online travel agencies, such as Booking.com and Agoda. The second is a “supplier unit”, showcasing deals from direct sources like individual hotels and airlines.
An example of this new interface is visible when a user from Spain searches for hotels in Madrid. The presentation prioritises a structured view, starting with the top result from third-party providers, which is expanded by default to enhance user experience.
Objective of the Update
These modifications are part of Google’s efforts to comply with EU regulatory demands and potentially avoid significant fines. The focus is on presenting a fairer competition landscape by transparently displaying options from various providers in its search results.
Reporting based on coverage first published by skift.com.