Key facts
- Google must provide greater transparency on its search ranking mechanisms.
- Users will be able to move their search data to authorized third parties.
- The CMA has designated Google with 'strategic market status' due to its search dominance.
- New rules aim to ensure fair and objective search result rankings.
- These measures follow previous conduct requirements for Google regarding AI features.
Britain's competition watchdog has mandated new rules for Google Search, aiming to enhance competition and ensure fairer treatment for businesses. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ordered Google to increase transparency regarding its search ranking processes and to enable users to transfer their search data to authorized third parties.
The regulator has expressed concerns about Google's dominant position in the search market, leading to the company being designated with 'strategic market status.' This designation allows the CMA to implement specific rules to improve transparency.
Will Hayter, the CMA's Executive Director for Digital Markets, stated that the new measures will ensure search results are ranked fairly and objectively, providing clearer information about changes and effective channels for raising concerns. These requirements build upon existing conduct rules previously announced by the CMA, which include provisions for publishers to prevent their content from being used for Google's AI features. The CMA indicated that further actions are anticipated during the summer.