Google has submitted a package of concessions to the European Commission (EC) as it attempts to avoid a fine following an antitrust investigation.
Over the past two and a half years, European Union (EU) competition regulators have been examining whether Google's search engine prioritises its own websites in search results, causing Google-owned websites, such as YouTube, to appear near the top of search results and potentially hindering the websites of rival companies like Microsoft.
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Google has now made a formal offer to the EC addressing the concerns in a move to end the antitrust investigation.
"In the last few weeks, the Commission completed its preliminary assessment formally setting out its concerns. On this basis, Google then made a formal submission of commitments to the Commission," said Antoine Colombani,
EC spokesman on competition policy.
"We are now preparing the launch of a market test to seek feedback from market players, including complainants, on these commitment proposals," he added.
According to EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, whatever agreement is reached will be legally binding for Google.
"I am trying to reach a decision ... that will include legally binding commitments based on the Google proposal," he told reporters in Washington on Thursday.
The investigation into Google began in November 2010, but even if the case is closed without a fine, the world's number one search engine provider is still facing a number of other investigations.
The UK Information Commissioner's Office - along with data watchdogs in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain - are set to investigate Google's privacy policy.
Meanwhile, a coalition of web and technology organisations including Microsoft, Nokia and Oracle have filed an antitrust complaint to the EC, claiming that Google's Android operating system gives the firm an unfair advantage in the mobile marketplace.
