# EU Launches Formal Antitrust Investigation into Google's Anti-Spam Policy
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust invest...
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Google's site reputation abuse policy, responding to mounting complaints from media publishers who claim the tech giant's spam-fighting measures are unfairly demoting their content in search results and harming their revenues.[1][2]
The investigation, announced on Thursday, centers on whether...
The investigation, announced on Thursday, centers on whether Google's anti-spam policy complies with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the EU's sweeping regulation designed to curb the power of Big Tech companies. The probe comes at a particularly vulnerable time for the news publishing industry, which has struggled with declining ad revenues and changing business models in recent years.[2]
## The Policy Under Scrutiny
Google introduced its site reputation abuse policy in March...
Google introduced its site reputation abuse policy in March 2024, targeting a deceptive practice known as "parasite SEO." This technique involves publishers hosting third-party content on their websites to artificially boost search rankings by exploiting the host site's established reputation and ranking signals.[2][4]
While the policy was intended to maintain search quality and...
While the policy was intended to maintain search quality and prevent gaming of Google's algorithm, the European Commission's monitoring has revealed a troubling pattern. According to regulators, Google is demoting news media and other publishers' websites when those sites include content from commercial partners—a common and legitimate monetization strategy for many news organizations.[2][4]
## Publishers' Grievances
The investigation was triggered by formal complaints from pr...
The investigation was triggered by formal complaints from prominent media organizations across Europe. German media company ActMeraki filed a complaint in April, arguing that Google's spam policy unfairly penalizes websites.[2][4] This was followed by complaints from major industry associations including the European Publishers Council, the European Newspaper Publishers Association, and the European Magazine Media Association.[2][4]
These publishers argue that Google's policy does not treat t...
These publishers argue that Google's policy does not treat them fairly or in a non-discriminatory manner, directly impacting their ability to generate revenue through legitimate business practices.[2]
## Regulatory Concerns
Teresa Ribiera, the EU's antitrust chief, expressed the Comm...
Teresa Ribiera, the EU's antitrust chief, expressed the Commission's concerns in a statement: "We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results."[2][4] She emphasized that the investigation aims to ensure publishers are not losing important revenues during a difficult period for the industry and to verify Google's compliance with the DMA.[2][4]
The stakes are significant. Violations of the DMA can result...
The stakes are significant. Violations of the DMA can result in fines of up to 10 percent of a company's global annual sales, representing a potentially massive penalty for Google.[2][4]
## Google's Defense
Google has pushed back forcefully against the investigation,...
Google has pushed back forcefully against the investigation, arguing that the EU's move is misguided and risks harming millions of European users by degrading search quality.[2] Pandu Nayak, chief scientist at Google Search, defended the company's approach in a statement, explaining that the anti-spam policy helps level the playing field by preventing websites from using deceptive tactics to artificially outrank competitors that rely on legitimate content.[2]
The company contends that its spam-fighting efforts are esse...
The company contends that its spam-fighting efforts are essential to maintaining the integrity and usefulness of search results for consumers across Europe.[2]
## Broader Context
This investigation represents the latest chapter in a long-r...
This investigation represents the latest chapter in a long-running regulatory battle between Google and European authorities. The EU has been scrutinizing Google's market practices for years, raising concerns about potential bias in search results, content scraping, and exclusionary advertising practices.[6] The new probe underscores the Commission's determination to enforce the DMA and ensure that dominant tech platforms operate fairly in the digital marketplace.
As the investigation proceeds, the outcome could have signif...
As the investigation proceeds, the outcome could have significant implications not only for Google's business practices but also for how media companies can structure their online operations and monetization strategies across Europe.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 3:00:42 PM
The European Commission has launched an antitrust probe into Google’s anti-spam policies, specifically its site reputation abuse rule, after finding evidence that the tech giant demotes news media and publisher websites in search rankings when they host content from commercial partners. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated, “We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner,” emphasizing the investigation aims to ensure compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which can impose fines up to 10% of a company’s global annual sales.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 3:10:44 PM
**EU Launches Antitrust Investigation into Google's Anti-Spam Policy**
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust probe into Google's "site reputation abuse policy," which targets the practice of publishing third-party pages to manipulate search rankings, following complaints from publishers who claim the policy has devastated their revenues.[1][2] EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribiera stated the Commission is concerned that "Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results," noting the policy directly impacts how publishers monetize their content through commercial partnerships.[2] The investigation, triggered by complaints from German media company ActMeraki and industry groups
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 3:20:42 PM
Following the EU's announcement of an antitrust probe into Google’s anti-spam rules and their impact on publisher rankings, Alphabet’s shares dipped 1.8% in early trading on Thursday, closing at $167.42. Market analysts cited concerns over potential fines under the Digital Markets Act, with some estimating penalties could reach up to 10% of Google’s global annual revenue if violations are found. “Regulatory overhang is weighing on sentiment, especially after the recent €2.95 billion adtech fine,” said tech equity strategist Lena Müller at Deutsche Bank.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 3:30:47 PM
The European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation today into Google's site reputation abuse policy, which targets "parasite SEO" tactics where third-party pages are published on host sites to manipulate search rankings—a practice Google implemented in March 2024.[1][2] The probe centers on allegations that Google is unfairly demoting news media and publishers' websites in search results when they include content from commercial partners, a common monetization method that the Commission says Google's policy directly undermines.[1][2] Under the Digital Markets Act, violations can result in fines up to 10% of Google's global annual sales, though Google's Chief Scientist Pandu Nayak defended the policy as "
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 3:40:53 PM
The European Commission launched an antitrust investigation today into Google's site reputation abuse policy—a spam-fighting measure implemented in March 2024 targeting "parasite SEO" practices—after the company's monitoring indicated that Google demotes news media and publishers' websites when they include content from commercial partners.[1][3] EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated the policy "appears to directly impact a common and legitimate way for publishers to monetise their websites and content," warning that violations under the Digital Markets Act could result in fines up to 10% of Google's global annual sales.[1][3] Google's Chief Scientist for Search, Pandu Nayak, defended the measure as "mis
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 3:50:54 PM
Consumers and publishers across Europe are voicing concern over the EU’s new probe into Google’s anti-spam rules, with many small media outlets warning that sudden drops in search rankings have slashed their traffic by up to 40% overnight. “We rely on Google for 70% of our visitors—this policy change has put our entire team at risk,” said a managing editor at a German news site, echoing complaints from the European Publishers Council, which reports over 200 member organizations affected. Meanwhile, some users have taken to social media to express confusion, with one Twitter user writing, “I can’t find my favorite local news anymore—Google’s search feels broken.”
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 4:00:56 PM
Following the EU's announcement of an antitrust probe into Google’s anti-spam policies and their impact on publisher rankings, Alphabet’s shares (GOOGL) fell 2.3% in early trading on Thursday, marking the steepest intraday drop since August. Investors cited concerns over potential fines under the Digital Markets Act, which could reach up to 10% of Google’s global annual revenue, as well as broader regulatory risks in Europe. “This investigation adds another layer of uncertainty for Google’s core search business,” said analyst Sarah Thompson at Morningstar, noting increased volatility in tech stocks with significant EU exposure.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 4:10:58 PM
**EU Launches Formal Antitrust Investigation into Google's Anti-Spam Policy**
The European Commission opened a formal antitrust probe today into Google's site reputation abuse policy following mounting complaints from publishers across Europe, with potential penalties reaching 10% of the company's global annual sales under the Digital Markets Act.[1][3] EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribiera stated the investigation will determine whether "news publishers are not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry," citing evidence that Google is demoting news media and publishers' websites when they include content from commercial partners.[1][3] Google's Chief Scientist for Search Pandu Nayak fired back, calling the investigation "
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 4:21:00 PM
The EU has launched an antitrust investigation into Google's site reputation abuse policy, which targets "parasite SEO"—the practice of publishing third-party pages on a site to exploit its ranking signals. The Commission's technical analysis reveals Google demotes news and publisher websites in search results when these include content from commercial partners, potentially harming legitimate monetization methods and publisher revenues, especially amid industry challenges. EU Antitrust Chief Teresa Ribera emphasized concerns over fairness and compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which can impose fines up to 10% of global sales, while Google defends its anti-spam rules as essential to maintaining search quality and preventing deceptive ranking tactics[2][3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 4:31:10 PM
The European Commission launched an antitrust investigation today into Google's anti-spam policy under the Digital Markets Act, alleging the company demotes news publishers featuring paid or sponsored content in search results.[1][5] Google's stock declined 1.6% on Wednesday but remains up nearly 50% year-to-date, as the probe adds to mounting regulatory pressure following the Commission's €2.95 billion ($3.42 billion) fine in September for adtech sector abuses.[2] EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated, "We will investigate to ensure that news publishers are not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry," while Google pushed back, with search chief P
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 4:41:30 PM
The EU's probe into Google's anti-spam rules has sparked strong reactions from publishers and industry groups who argue the policy unfairly penalizes legitimate monetization efforts. The European Publishers Council, European Newspaper Publishers Association, and European Magazine Media Association have voiced concerns that Google’s enforcement demotes news publishers relying on sponsored content, threatening their revenues during a difficult industry period. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated, "We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner" in search results, prompting the investigation under the Digital Markets Act, which could fine Google up to 10% of its global revenue[1][2][4][6]. Conversely, Google defended it
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 4:51:54 PM
The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Google's anti-spam site reputation abuse policy after complaints from publishers, including German media company ActMeraki, who argue it is unfairly demoting their websites in search results when commercial partner content is included. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated concerns that Google's policy harms publishers' revenues and may violate the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to fines up to 10% of Google’s global annual sales. Google’s Chief Scientist for Search, Pandu Nayak, called the probe "misguided" and warned it risks degrading search quality for millions of Europeans, also citing a German court ruling that upheld Google's anti-spam policy as valid[1][3][5][7].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 5:02:01 PM
Alphabet’s Google is under a new EU antitrust investigation over its anti-spam site reputation abuse policy, which publishers say unfairly demotes their websites in search rankings when they include content from commercial partners, thereby hurting their revenues. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated, "We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner," and the probe, under the Digital Markets Act, could lead to fines of up to 10% of Google’s global annual sales[1][3][6]. Google pushed back, with Pandu Nayak, Google Search’s chief scientist, calling the investigation "misguided" and warning it risks harming millions of European users
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 5:11:59 PM
**EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Google's Anti-Spam Policy**
The European Commission announced today that it is investigating Google's site reputation abuse policy, which was introduced in March 2024 and updated in November 2024, following complaints from publishers who claim the enforcement has harmed their revenues.[1][2] EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated: "We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results," adding that the investigation will ensure "news publishers are not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry."[2][4] Google's chief scientist Pandu
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 5:22:14 PM
**EU Launches Antitrust Investigation into Google's Anti-Spam Policy**
The European Commission opened a formal antitrust investigation into Google's spam policy on Thursday, following complaints from multiple publisher groups including the European Publishers Council, the European Newspaper Publishers Association, and the European Magazine Media Association, who argue the policy has harmed their revenues.[1][2] EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated, "We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results," emphasizing the investigation aims to ensure news publishers are "not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry."[1] Google's