The long-brewing conflict between Google and EU regulators has reached a new milestone.

The European Commission has officially issued preliminary findings that Google has violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in two key areas that directly impact digital marketers and app developers.

What’s Happening With Google Search?

Despite Google’s algorithm tweaks over the past year, EU regulators aren’t satisfied. They claim Google still gives preferential treatment to its verticals, such as Google Shopping, Hotels, Flights, and other specialized results.

The Commission called out Google for displaying its services “at the top of Google Search results or on dedicated spaces, with enhanced visual formats and filtering mechanisms” that third-party services don’t enjoy.

If you’ve been wondering why your clients’ listings seem pushed down by Google’s products, EU regulators are validating those concerns.

Google Play Also Under Fire

In a separate finding, the Commission claims Google Play doesn’t allow app developers to freely direct users to alternative channels for better deals or direct purchases.

For marketers working with apps or managing app-based clients, this could eventually lead to new opportunities to reach users outside Google’s ecosystem without the steep Play Store fees.

What This Means For Digital Marketers

If the findings are confirmed and Google is forced to make changes, we could see significant shifts in search visibility and ranking opportunities:

• More prominent placement for third-party comparison sites in travel, shopping, and financial verticals
• Reduced visual emphasis on Google’s services
• Potentially more organic visibility for businesses currently competing with Google’s featured elements

For app marketers, we might see new options for communicating with users about direct purchase options and alternatives to Google Play’s payment system.

Timeline and Next Steps

Google now has the opportunity to respond to these preliminary findings, and the company has consistently maintained that its changes already comply with the DMA.

In previous statements, Google’s EMEA competition director cautioned that further modifications could negatively impact user experience.

The Bigger Picture

This escalation follows the DMA’s implementation in March 2024, which designated Google as a “gatekeeper” alongside other tech giants. The law specifically targets large platforms that serve as critical intermediaries between businesses and consumers.

If Google fails to address the Commission’s concerns, it could face penalties of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. This prospect will likely motivate changes to how search results appear in Europe.

We’ll monitor this situation as it develops and provide updates on how changes might impact your search and app marketing strategies.