Google is changing its spam content policy in the EU, eliminating downgrades for news sites.

Google has announced that, starting August 30, it will modify its policy regarding content considered spam in the European Union, to avoid possible sanctions from European authorities. The parent company Alphabet stated that the downgrading measures applied to sites for violating spam policies will no longer be used in the 27 EU member states, as well as in Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

This change comes in response to accusations from Brussels that Google's policy affects news sites, downgrading them when they publish materials from commercial partners, a practice known as 'parasitic SEO'. The European Commission has opened an investigation based on the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which regulates large technology companies.

Google, designated as a 'gatekeeper', risks fines of up to 10% of its global revenue for violating these rules. By eliminating downgrades for European users, Google hopes to address the concerns of authorities before the investigation leads to financial sanctions. The changes do not apply to users outside the European Economic Area.