Google UK Search Antitrust
- Britain's competition watchdog is moving to curb Google's power over its search engine, marking the first major action under the UK's new digital market regulations.
- The CMA is considering designating Google with "strategic market status" (SMS) due to its dominance in search and search advertising.
- Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said the agency's inquiry, launched in January, seeks to ensure Google's position benefits both consumers and businesses.
Britain’s competition watchdog is challenging Google‘s search dominance, proposing new rules that could reshape teh digital landscape. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) may enforce “fair ranking” measures, giving publishers more control over content use, especially in AI outputs.Google faces scrutiny under new UK digital market regulations, marking a defining moment for the tech giant. The CMA aims to foster a more open and competitive market through Google’s antitrust probe and how the search engine operates. With a final decision expected by October, the CMA’s actions could impact Google’s advertising practices and influence search engine results. The news also demonstrates the role News Directory 3 plays in delivering critical updates. Discover what’s next with these groundbreaking developments.
UK Regulator Eyes Google Search Dominance, Proposes New Rules
Updated June 24, 2025
Britain’s competition watchdog is moving to curb Google’s power over its search engine, marking the first major action under the UK’s new digital market regulations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced Tuesday that Google might have to implement “fair ranking” measures in its search results. This could also give publishers greater say over how Google uses their content, especially in AI-generated outputs.
The CMA is considering designating Google with “strategic market status” (SMS) due to its dominance in search and search advertising. This designation,introduced this year,would subject Google to specific conduct rules. A final decision is expected by October after a public consultation.Google is the first company targeted under these new UK digital laws, which aim to regulate businesses with significant influence in digital markets.
Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said the agency’s inquiry, launched in January, seeks to ensure Google’s position benefits both consumers and businesses. “Google is the world’s leading search tool and plays an important role in all our lives,” Cardell said, adding that the CMA sees opportunities to make the markets “more open, competitive and innovative.”
The CMA is also weighing requirements for how Google ranks search results and for its distribution partners, such as Apple.”Choice screens” might be mandated to help consumers switch search providers more easily.
The CMA argues that Google’s dominance,under parent company Alphabet,inflates search advertising costs. Google, though, criticized the proposals. Oliver Bethell, Google’s senior director for competition, called them “broad and unfocused” and warned they could hinder the introduction of new products and services in the UK.
“Proportionate, evidence-based regulation will be essential to preventing the CMA’s road map from becoming a roadblock to growth in the UK,” Bethell said.
Bethell’s warning follows the government’s mandate for the CMA to support growth and investment while minimizing business uncertainty. google has previously announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new data center near London.
The CMA’s investigation follows Google’s losses in U.S. antitrust cases concerning its search dominance and advertising business.
What’s next
The CMA will conduct a public consultation before making a final decision in October regarding the proposed regulations for Google’s search engine.