Is Google Complying with Digital Markets Act [DMA] Article 6(5)?

Analysis of Google's Compliance with the Digital Markets Act

Article 6(5) of Europe's Digital Markets Act requires Google (and other gatekeepers) to treat third-party content in a fair and non-discriminatory manner compared to their own services. Based on our research into how European consumers engage with Hotel and Local search results (detailed below), Near Media does not believe Google's post-DMA search results in the Hotel and Local verticals comply with the letter or spirit of Article 6(5). https://www.nearmedia.co/dma-statement/

Analysis of Google's Compliance with the Digital Markets Act

New Research: European Local Search Behavior in the Home Services Vertical

The results that follow below are an excerpt of our recent investigation conducted in partnership with Siinda into how European consumers search Google for home services.

Analysis

Search Marketing Implications for European Hotel Suppliers

In Part II of our analysis of 300 European consumers' hotel search sessions on Google, we take a deeper dive into where and how they engage with search results, surfacing ways in which hotel Suppliers might improve their chances of acquiring a guest in this challenging ecosystem.

Analysis

Google and Booking: The Symbiotic Gatekeeper Relationship in European Hotel Search

Google is likely averse to making significant user experience changes in the hotel vertical because the status quo is so profitable. Booking.com appears to be the primary driver of this profitability.

Analysis

Hindsight: Self-Preferencing Behind Google Maps' Rise

In 2007, Google removed links to Mapquest and Yahoo Maps from the top of search results. That was designed to boost Google Maps. It worked.

Analysis

Google Attempts to Redefine Its Local Services to Avoid DMA Compliance Consequences

Google has positioned entities of all sorts – whether local, hotel, tickets or products – as beyond the regulatory bounds of the DMA.

Analysis

Google Doubles Down on the Local Pack in EU

The appearance of a second Local Pack in the EU seems to fly in the face of the Digital Market Act's anti-self-preferencing rules.

Analysis

Is Google's DMA Compliance DOA for Local Searches in Europe?

Places Sites may as well not exist. The module drives almost no engagement, even above the fold.

Analysis

New elements of Google local search results in Europe: A visual glossary

Google has created new search features for the 27-country European Economic Area. Here's what they look like.

Analysis

Are New Google EU Local Results DMA Compliant?

Google has made various changes to local SERPs to comply with the DMA. But most of them don't really benefit publishers or users.

Analysis

A Look at Google Local Results without 'Self-Preferencing'

What would Google local search results look like if Google couldn't put the Local 3-Pack at the top of search results? A recently discovered test may give us a clue.