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Europe: Google has removed its dedicated vacation rental unit from search results across the European Economic Area as it makes further changes to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
The removed feature previously displayed eligible vacation rental properties directly within Google Search, allowing travellers to compare accommodation and proceed to booking websites.
In an email announcing the update, Google said: “As part of these changes, we are not currently able to display the current vacation rentals unit on Search in the EEA, hence, we’re removing this unit in the EEA. We hope to bring back a vacation rentals experience in the EEA in the future and will keep you informed of any changes.”
Property management platform Hospitable said EEA-based vacation rental hosts would no longer receive impressions, clicks or bookings through Google Vacation Rentals on Google Search.
However, vacation rental feeds can continue to support listings on other Google services, including Maps and google.com/hotels, while properties remain visible to users searching from outside the EEA.
Google is also changing the way other travel results are displayed in Europe. Searches for flights, hotels and restaurants will feature separate units for third-party comparison and booking platforms and for direct suppliers.
The direct supplier unit will offer more limited functionality, with users unable to filter by travel dates, view live prices or use descriptive categories such as “budget” or “boutique” within the results.
The changes follow a €460 million fine issued to Google by the European Commission over its compliance with the Digital Markets Act and the prominence given to its own services within search.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, was designated as a gatekeeper under the legislation in 2023. The Digital Markets Act requires designated technology companies to treat competing third-party services fairly and prohibits them from favouring their own products.
Highlights
- Google’s vacation rental search unit is no longer available to users in the EEA
- Eligible direct properties will lose impressions, clicks and bookings generated through the unit
- Vacation rental feeds can still appear on Google Maps and google.com/hotels
- Listings will remain active for travellers searching from outside the EEA
- The changes form part of Google’s response to the EU Digital Markets Act
