3:22 pm - April 29, 2025
The search giant has launched a limited test in several EU countries, temporarily excluding results from EU-based news publishers amid regulatory challenges.
Google has begun a limited test in several European Union countries by temporarily omitting results from EU-based news publishers. Described by Google as a “small, time-limited test,” the trial involves excluding news content from the search engine’s results, Google News, and the Discover feed.
This experiment affects approximately 1% of users in Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. The users will still have access to news from non-EU sources.
The specific duration of this test remains undisclosed, but Google says that news results will revert to normal post-experiment. The company assures that this trial will not impact the payments to publishers it has committed to under the European Copyright Directive (EUCD). Under this directive, Google has made agreements with over 4,000 publishers throughout the EU to facilitate payments for their content.
The tech giant has previously employed similar tactics when faced with regulatory challenges concerning news content remuneration on its platforms. Last year, Google removed news links from Canadian search results following the introduction of Bill C-18 — known as the Online News Act — which mandated negotiations for compensation with publishers. After extensive negotiations, Google agreed to an annual financial commitment of $100 million to Canadian news organisations in exchange for a regulatory exemption.
Similarly, Google briefly removed links to California news organisations earlier this year in response to the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA). This legislation would require tech companies to financially compensate news publishers for using their content. Although the CJPA is still under consideration, Google reached an agreement with California lawmakers that involves a substantial financial commitment to bolster local journalism through a dedicated fund.
In 2021, Google threatened to withdraw its search services from Australia due to proposed laws requiring tech companies to share royalties with news publishers. Australia, however, maintained its stance. The legislation was enacted, and Google eventually entered into agreements with Australian media companies for content licensing.
Source: Noah Wire Services
More on this & verification
- https://www.androidheadlines.com/2024/11/google-to-temporarily-remove-eu-news-publishers-content-from-search-results.html – Corroborates the details of Google’s test, including the affected countries and the temporary nature of the test.
- https://9to5google.com/2024/11/13/google-remove-eu-news-content-search-test/ – Provides information on the test’s purpose, the impact on 1% of users in specified EU countries, and the continuation of non-EU news results.
- https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/more-data-about-news-results-eu/ – Explains the test’s objective, the compliance with the European Copyright Directive (EUCD), and the agreements with over 4,000 EU publishers.
- https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/a-google-test-will-omit-eu-publishers-from-news-links-184536615.html – Details the test’s scope, the exclusion of EU news content, and historical context of Google’s responses to similar regulatory challenges.
- https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google/google-to-remove-content-from-eu-news-publishers-from-news-search-and-discover-in-small-test – Confirms the test’s limited nature, the affected user percentage, and the ongoing payments to publishers under the EUCD.
- https://www.androidheadlines.com/2024/11/google-to-temporarily-remove-eu-news-publishers-content-from-search-results.html – Discusses the historical context of Google’s actions in response to regulatory challenges, such as in Canada and Australia.
- https://9to5google.com/2024/11/13/google-remove-eu-news-content-search-test/ – Provides additional context on Google’s previous actions, including the removal of news links in Canada and the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act.
- https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/a-google-test-will-omit-eu-publishers-from-news-links-184536615.html – Details Google’s threat to withdraw its search services from Australia and the subsequent agreements with Australian media companies.
- https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/more-data-about-news-results-eu/ – Explains Google’s Extended News Previews (ENP) program and its compliance with the EUCD, including agreements with over 4,000 publishers.
- https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/google/google-to-remove-content-from-eu-news-publishers-from-news-search-and-discover-in-small-test – Corroborates the test’s aim to assess the impact on the search experience and traffic to publishers, and the provision of data analysis tools to publishers.
- https://9to5google.com/2024/11/13/google-remove-eu-news-content-search-test/ – Highlights the broader implications of the test on Google’s relationship with traditional news publishers and regulatory bodies.
Register for Editor’s picks
Stay ahead of the curve with our Editor's picks newsletter – your weekly insight into the trends, challenges, and innovations driving the future of digital media.
