UK aims to tackle Google dominance of online search

Core Viewpoint - The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing to designate Google with "strategic market status" to address its dominance in online search, which could lead to special regulatory requirements [3][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The CMA's proposal aims to tackle Google's significant market power in the search engine sector, which has raised concerns about its impact on consumers and businesses [4][6]. - The CMA's investigation into Google's market position was initiated in January, following the implementation of the UK's Digital Markets Competition Regime in 2025 [5][6]. Group 2: Market Impact - Google Search holds over 90% of online inquiries in the UK, indicating its substantial influence in the market [7]. - More than 200,000 businesses in the UK depend on Google search advertising to connect with customers, highlighting the platform's critical role in the business ecosystem [7]. Group 3: Proposed Changes - The CMA is considering changes to enhance market openness and competition, including making default choice screens for search services a legal requirement [6]. - Another proposal involves ensuring that Google's ranking and presentation of search results are fair and non-discriminatory [6]. Group 4: Industry Response - Google has expressed concerns regarding the CMA's broad and unfocused considerations, emphasizing the potential negative implications for UK businesses and consumers [5][7]. - Google claims that its services contribute billions of pounds annually to the UK economy, underscoring the positive impact of its search platform [5].