Google suspends Viagogo as an advertiser in search rankings

The decision followed pressure from campaign groups and MPs and as Viagogo faces legal action from the Competition and Markets Authority.

The CMA launched legal action against Viagogo in August last year over worries that it could be breaking consumer-protection law. As a result, it’s had to restructure its business in order to assuage concerns that it might be misleading customers.

There were worries that tickets purchased on Viagogo sometimes could be invalid or very overpriced.

In an open letter signed by the Football Association, MPs and the trade body of UK Music in 2018, Google was urged to stop accepting the advertising money from Viagogo to place it at the top of search rankings.

Google claims it has found a breach in the company’s ad policy and would begin removing the ads immediately.

“When people use our platform for help in purchasing tickets, we want to make sure that they have an experience they can trust,” said a Google spokesperson.

“This is why we have strict policies and take necessary action when we find an advertiser in breach.”

Now, the CMA also alleges that Viagogo is ignoring its demands to make changes and if found in contempt, the company could face steep fines.