London/Brussels —​ Alphabet’s Google is facing a new competition investigation by the European Commission over its search ranking practices for news media outlets, the Financial Timesreported on Thursday, citing unnamed officials.
The probe will reportedly examine allegations that Google downgrades the search rankings of news publishers that host paid promotional content. The investigation will be conducted under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which targets anti-competitive behavior by “gatekeeper” tech firms.
Google, which is already battling dozens of antitrust cases worldwide—ranging from its dominance in search and advertising to its mobile ecosystem—has yet to comment on the latest report.
The FTsaid the investigation stems from concerns that Google’s algorithm may disadvantage certain news publishers, particularly those that pay for visibility or rely on subscription models.
The DMA, which came into full effect last year, imposes strict rules on major digital platforms, including obligations to treat third-party services fairly​ and prohibit self-preferencing. Violations could result in hefty fines of up to 10% of global turnover, rising to 20% for repeat offenses.
This latest scrutiny adds to Google’s mounting regulatory challenges in Europe, where authorities have repeatedly accused the tech giant of abusing its market power. Earlier this year, the EU fined Google over €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion) for favoring its own shopping service in search results, and additional cases remain ongoing.
A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to confirm or deny the investigation but reiterated the bloc’s commitment to enforcing the DMA.
Google, for its part, has consistently defended its practices, arguing that its algorithms aim to deliver the most relevant results for users. However, critics—including news publishers and rival tech firms—have long accused the company of manipulating rankings to stifle competition.
The case is expected to draw close attention from media organizations and digital rights groups, who argue that fair treatment in search rankings is critical for the sustainability of independent journalism.