Inspired by reporting from the Financial Times (ft.com)

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially told Google to loosen its control over search results. This is part of a new digital law that gives the regulator power to stop big tech companies from abusing their market position.

In simple terms, Google now has to follow stricter rules about how search results are ranked and how publishers’ content is used, especially when it comes to AI-generated summaries.

So what does this mean for you as a website owner or business? Let’s keep it practical.

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1. Search could become a bit fairer

For years, Google has filled search results with its own services — like Maps, Shopping, and YouTube — pushing organic results further down.
Now regulators want “fair ranking,” meaning independent websites might have a slightly better chance to show up higher.

What to do:
Keep your site fast, mobile-friendly, and clear. Quality, well-structured content will benefit most if Google is forced to diversify results.

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2. More control over how Google uses your content

One big change might give publishers and businesses more control over whether their content can be reused by Google’s AI tools.
If this becomes official, you’ll be able to say “yes” or “no” to AI-generated summaries or snippets.

What to do:
Add or update your AI content usage policy.

• Explain if AI tools can quote or summarize your articles.
• Mention that any reuse must link back to your site.
• Add clear meta tags or robot rules if you don’t want AI summaries.

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3. AI search results are expanding

Google is already showing AI Overviews (auto-generated answers at the top of search). This affects how people find your content — they might read a summary instead of clicking your link.

What to do:
Write content with short, factual paragraphs and clear headings.
AI summaries often pull from the most structured, easy-to-read pages.

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4. Diversify your visibility

If these new UK laws start spreading across the EU, search could become more open — meaning it’s smart not to depend on Google alone.

What to do:
Make sure your business is visible on:

• Bing and other search engines
• Local directories (Google Business, Apple Maps, Yelp, etc.)
• Social media and news aggregators

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5. Keep an eye on the changes

This is the first time a regulator has forced Google to follow new “strategic market status” rules. The impact will take months or years to fully show, but it’s the start of something new — maybe even a more balanced web.

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In short

Google’s power over search results is being challenged.
For business owners and designers, this is your chance to:

• make your websites more structured,
• protect your content,
• and prepare for AI-driven search engines that respect your data.

If you manage a website, now’s the time to review your SEO basics and publish a short AI content usage policy — it’s good practice and may soon be required.

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Source: Inspired by an article originally published by the Financial Times — “Google told to loosen control over search by UK competition regulator,” by Suzi Ring and Tim Bradshaw.

This article is an independent commentary based on publicly available information from Financial Times (ft.com). All rights for the original reporting belong to their respective authors and publisher.

Black Friday isn’t just about discounts—it’s about being ready for the digital stampede. Shoppers are impatient, distracted, and spoiled for choice. If your website isn’t ready, those hard-won clicks will vanish faster than a doorbuster TV at midnight. The good news? You don’t need to rebuild your site from scratch. A few smart design fixes can dramatically improve conversions before the shopping rush hits.

1. Speed up your Website (Because no one waits anymore)

A one-second delay in loading time can slash conversions by up to 7%. On Black Friday, when every competitor is running ads and promotions, slow pages mean lost sales. Compress images, enable caching, and test your mobile performance. If your homepage or product pages take longer than 3 seconds to load, you’re already losing customers.

2. Simplify Your Checkout Flow

Abandoned carts are the ghosts haunting every e-commerce store. Complicated checkouts—too many fields, forced account creation, unclear payment options—scare buyers away. Streamline your process:

• Offer guest checkout
• Display all costs upfront (no hidden shipping fees at the last step)
• Add trusted payment logos (PayPal, Apple Pay, local options)

The easier you make it, the faster customers hit “buy.”

3. Optimize for Mobile First

In 2024, more than 70% of Black Friday purchases happened on smartphones. If your website still treats mobile as an afterthought, you’re bleeding money. Test your site on multiple devices, make sure buttons are thumb-friendly, and ensure the checkout is smooth without endless pinching and zooming. Mobile UX isn’t optional anymore—it’s your primary storefront.

4. Highlight Urgency and Scarcity

Shoppers during Black Friday respond to urgency. Smart design can create that push without feeling spammy:

• Countdown timers on deals
• Low stock indicators (“Only 3 left in stock”)
• Flash-sale banners

These simple design tweaks nudge undecided buyers into action.

5. Improve your product pages with better Visuals

People don’t just buy products—they buy what they can imagine. Poor photography, messy layouts, and vague descriptions kill sales. Upgrade your product pages with:

• High-resolution images that load quickly
• Short demo videos or 360° views
• Clear, benefit-driven copy (not just specs)

Every product page should feel like a polished mini-landing page, not an afterthought.

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Black Friday success doesn’t come from shouting the loudest discount. It comes from a site that’s fast, simple, mobile-ready, and persuasive. Fix these five design flaws now, and you’ll be far better prepared to turn traffic into sales when the busiest shopping weekend of the year arrives.

Having a website is not a “set it and forget it” kind of job. Whether you’re running a business website, blog, or online store, keeping your site up-to-date and secure is essential for long-term success. Just like your car needs regular servicing, your website needs maintenance — not only to stay secure but also to remain visible in Google search results.