Google given special status by watchdog that could force it to change UK search

The CMA has proposed ensuring fair ranking of search results on Google and providing more control for publishers over how their content is used. The CMA has proposed ensuring fair ranking of search results on Google and providing more control for publishers over how their content is used. CMA puts Google under tighter regulation with'strategic market status' designation and can enforce changes Fri 10 Oct 2025 06.53 EDTLast modified on Fri 10 Oct 2025 07.47 EDT Google faces enforced changes to its UK search business after the competition watchdog conferred a special status on the company that puts it under tighter regulation. The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) confirmed that Google has "strategic market status" (SMS) in search and search advertising, a term that means the company has such market power that it requires a special regulatory regime. The watchdog now has the power under new digital laws to order changes to how Google operates in those areas.