The U.K.’s competition regulator said on Tuesday it is considering a new market designation for Google that would require the search giant to provide alternative search options to users, rank search results “more fairly,” and offer greater control to publishers over how their content is used in search and AI Overviews.Under the new Digital Markets Competition Regime that went into force earlier this year, the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is launching a consultation on whether to de ...

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].