The European Commission has fined Google a total of €890 million for breaching the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), concluding that the technology giant unlawfully favoured
its own services in Google Search and restricted app developers from directing users to cheaper purchasing options outside the Google Play Store.
The penalties comprise a €460 million fine for Google's treatment of its own services in search results and a further €430 million over anti-steering practices in Google Play.
The rulings mark one of the Commission's most significant enforcement actions under the DMA, the landmark legislation designed to curb the market power of the world's largest digital platforms.
Google Search found to favour Google's own services
The Commission concluded that Google breached DMA rules by systematically giving its own services — including shopping, hotels, transport and sports results — greater visibility than competing platforms in Google Search.
According to the Commission, Google's services were placed more prominently on search results pages, often appearing at the top of results with enhanced visual features and dedicated filters unavailable to rival providers.
Under the DMA, designated "gatekeepers" must rank their own and third-party services using transparent, fair and non-discriminatory criteria.
Google Play restrictions breached EU rules
In a separate decision, regulators found that Google unlawfully restricted app developers from freely informing users about alternative purchasing methods outside the Google Play Store.
The Commission said developers should be able to direct customers to websites or competing app stores offering lower-priced subscriptions or digital content without facing contractual or technical barriers.
Although the DMA allows Google to charge a fee for acquiring new customers through Google Play, Brussels concluded that both the size of Google's steering-related fees and the length of time they were applied exceeded what is permitted under the legislation.
Google ordered to change practices
Alongside the financial penalties, the Commission has ordered Google to bring both infringements to an end within 60 days.
The company must:
treat competing services appearing in Google Search on equal terms with its own products;
allow app developers to communicate with users freely and conclude purchases outside the Google Play ecosystem without undue restrictions.
Failure to comply could result in periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of Google's total worldwide daily turnover.
Commission welcomes progress but continues monitoring
The Commission acknowledged that Google has already begun testing a number of changes following discussions with regulators.
These include modifications to the presentation of Google's own shopping, hotel and flight services in Search, as well as changes affecting shopping advertisements and sports-related content.
Officials said they would continue assessing these measures, alongside Google's proposals covering AI-powered Search features such as AI Overviews and AI Mode.
The Commission also noted progress in Google's proposed revisions to its Google Play steering rules but said these would continue to be monitored as part of today's enforcement decision.
Investigation began in 2024
Google was designated a DMA gatekeeper in September 2023.
The Commission formally opened investigations in March 2024 into Google's search ranking practices and Google Play steering rules. In March 2025, Brussels informed the company of its preliminary view that both practices breached the DMA.
Following an extensive investigation, consultation with market participants and exchanges with Google, the Commission adopted its final decisions, stating that the fines reflected the seriousness and duration of the infringements.
Google has the right to appeal the decisions before the EU courts. Photo by Anthony Quintano from Mount Laurel, United States, Wikimedia commons.