European Court Orders Google to Pay €2.4 Billion Fine

The fine was imposed because Google placed its own price comparison service at the top of search results, thereby abusing its dominant position in the market. For years, Google has been placing its own product, Google Shopping, at the top of search results while relegating competitors to the very bottom.

The fine will be redirected directly to the EU budget. Albrecht von Sontag, founder of the German service idealo, told Bild, "The main damage has been inflicted on consumers." According to the expert, consumers have paid on average 10% more. Google deliberately directs unsuspecting users towards more expensive offers. Idealo is now planning to file a compensation claim for several billion euros in damages.