Skift has been arguing for more than a decade that Google creates an anti-competitive playing field by self-preferencing its own travel businesses over those of competitors. The European Commission's wheels are turning very slowly.
Google's search changes won't win any friends among online travel companies doing business in Europe. However, they might help whip up opposition to the Digital Markets Act.
Would Priceline or other big travel advertisers want a co-branded booking experience with Trivago to increase bookings? Maybe, but these advertisers would likely spar with Trivago on the details of the co-branding.
Could Trivago be looking to supplement its traditional metasearch revenue with that generated by a hotel booking site? Or is it just interested in Holisto's tech?