Brussels, 13 November 2025 — The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into whether Google is breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by unfairly downgrading news and other publishers’ content in its search results.
The probe centres on Google’s “site reputation abuse policy”, a rule the company says targets tactics designed to manipulate search rankings. According to the Commission, monitoring work indicates that Google may be using this policy to systematically demote publishers’ websites when they host material from commercial partners — a practice the Commission describes as both common and legitimate for monetising content.
EU officials are examining whether these demotions restrict publishers’ freedom to conduct business, innovate and collaborate with third-party content providers. Alphabet’s Google Search was designated a “core platform service” under the DMA in 2023 and has been required to comply with all obligations, including providing transparent, fair and non-discriminatory access conditions, since March 2024.
“The digital gatekeepers do not have the right to restrict businesses that rely on them from promoting their own products and services,” said Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. “We are concerned that Google’s policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner. We will investigate to ensure publishers are not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry.”
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, added that the DMA is designed to “ensure fairer markets and innovation” and that the investigation aims to safeguard publishers’ funding, their ability to operate freely and, ultimately, media pluralism.
The opening of proceedings does not imply that Alphabet has been found non-compliant. If the Commission identifies evidence of a breach, it will set out its preliminary findings and the measures Google must take to remedy the concerns. The inquiry is expected to conclude within 12 months.
Under the DMA, infringements can result in fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover — rising to 20% for repeated violations — and, in cases of systematic non-compliance, structural remedies such as forced divestitures or bans on further acquisitions.
Source: Commission opens investigation into potential Digital Markets Act breach by Google
