The Commission has published guidelines for online platforms on how to improve the transparency of their ranking parameters.

Algorithmic ranking determines visibility online, which the Commission recognises is crucial to the success of millions of businesses, especially as the current pandemic has moved more business activities online.

The Platform-to-Business (P2B) Regulation, which aims to promote fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services, has applied since 12 July 2020. Since then, online platforms and search engines have been required to include a description in their terms and conditions of the main parameters that determine how prominently goods and services appear on their services.

The guidelines complement the ranking transparency requirements under the P2B Regulation. They address the main requirements online platforms must comply with, from the need to identify key algorithmic parameters behind ranking, to their communication to businesses. They aim to help online platforms make the right information available to businesses so that they in turn can consider how best to increase and manage their online visibility, enabling consumers to receive the highest quality goods and services. They will also provide valuable support for the adequate and effective enforcement of the transparency requirement to ensure online platforms are acting fairly in their ranking practices. To read the Commission’s press release in full and for a link to the new guidelines, click here.