Google Faces Fresh EU Scrutiny Over Alleged Search Bias Against Publishers

The European Union has opened a fresh antitrust investigation into Google, intensifying its regulatory oversight of Big Tech under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The probe, announced by the European Commission on November 13, 2025, focuses on whether Google’s anti-spam policies unfairly demote legitimate publishers in search results, a move that may be costing the European media industry significant advertising revenue.

A New Front in Europe’s Battle With Big Tech

The investigation centers on Google’s “site reputation abuse policy,” part of a March 2024 update aimed at curbing so-called “parasite SEO”, a tactic where third-party marketers post on reputable domains to boost rankings. While Google says the rule protects users from deceptive content, EU officials suspect it may also penalize news outlets and media publishers who use sponsored articles and branded partnerships to stay afloat.

According to the European Commission, the rule may inadvertently suppress legitimate journalistic content by lowering the visibility of articles containing commercial partnerships. EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement that the Commission aims “to ensure news publishers are treated in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory manner in Google’s search results.”

Vestager emphasized that the probe seeks to strike a balance between user protection and business fairness, noting that the Commission is investigating whether Google’s policies restrict publishers’ “freedom to conduct legitimate business.”

Geopolitical Undercurrents and Transatlantic Tensions

The new probe comes despite earlier warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who cautioned Brussels against “targeting American tech companies.” However, EU officials maintain that the case is purely competition-driven, not political, as they seek to uphold transparency and fairness in the European digital economy.

This latest move underscores the bloc’s determination to enforce the Digital Markets Act, its landmark legislation aimed at reining in “gatekeeper” firms that dominate online ecosystems. Under the DMA, violations can trigger fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover, rising to 20% for repeat breaches.

The Commission said it intends to conclude the probe within 12 months, though similar investigations in the past have taken considerably longer.

Publishers Push Back

Several European media organizations have long argued that Google’s policies make it harder for them to generate revenue through commercial partnerships. Formal complaints were filed earlier this year by the European Publishers Council, the European Newspaper Publishers Association, and the European Magazine Media Association.

German publishing group ActMeraki also lodged a grievance in April, claiming that Google’s policy “punishes” websites for legitimate brand collaborations. These partnerships, often integrated as sponsored editorials or co-branded features, have become a key revenue stream for many publishers struggling with declining ad sales and increased competition from social media platforms.

Publishers contend that losing search visibility translates directly into fewer clicks, lower ad impressions, and reduced financial sustainability, especially for smaller, independent media outlets.

Google’s Response: Defending Search Integrity

Google has strongly rejected the EU’s allegations, calling the investigation disappointing and “without merit.”

“We are disappointed by the Commission’s decision to open this investigation,” said Pandu Nayak, Chief Scientist for Google Search. “Our policies are designed to protect users from spam and reward original, high-quality content, not penalize legitimate publishers.”

The company insists its spam policy protects users from deceptive practices where bad actors exploit the trust and ranking strength of established publishers to promote irrelevant or misleading material.

Google also pointed to a recent German court ruling that upheld the company’s right to apply such policies, describing them as “reasonable and consistently enforced.” According to Google, relaxing these safeguards would “risk rewarding bad actors and degrading the quality of search results.”

A History of Regulatory Clashes

This investigation marks another chapter in Google’s long-running friction with EU regulators. The company has previously faced a €2.42 billion fine in a 2017 case involving its shopping comparison service, where the Commission ruled that Google favored its own products over rivals.

In March 2024, Brussels also launched a separate DMA investigation into Google’s Play Store, probing whether developers were unfairly restricted from offering cheaper subscription options outside the platform.

Together, these cases reflect a broader pattern: the EU’s push to enforce accountability among digital giants and level the playing field for competitors and partners alike.

The Stakes for Digital Publishing and Search Fairness

At the heart of the dispute lies a fundamental question: how can regulators ensure fair competition without compromising the integrity of search results?

For the EU, the priority is protecting the digital economy’s diversity by ensuring that independent publishers are not overshadowed by algorithmic policies. For Google, the mission remains maintaining trust and preventing manipulation that erodes user experience.

The outcome of this probe could set an important precedent not just for Europe, but globally, redefining how online ecosystems balance user safety, algorithmic transparency, and commercial fairness.

As Brussels puts its DMA powers to the test, the world watches closely. For both regulators and publishers, the next twelve months could reshape how the internet values and ranks journalism.