Google Clampdown On Ticket Resales

The decision been hailed as a "step forward" in the battle against touts by Fine Gael TD Noel Rock
Speaking on the matter, Deputy Noel Rock said: “One of the biggest frustrations for people was the issue of unwittingly dealing with touts, having searched for a ticket on Google and being brought to a ticket resale website due to a banner ad appearing as the top result on Google.

“Today’s announcement brings welcome transparency, as from now on in order to be certified by Google, an event ticket reseller must prominently disclose themselves as a ticket reseller / secondary marketplace.”

Deputy Rock continued: “This isn’t the only measure being taken by Google to tackle ticket touting, some of which deals with the issues highlighted during the recent consultation held by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation arising from my legislation.
"For instance, ticket resellers who wish to be listed on Google must now prominently disclose that prices may be above face value. Again, this is a welcome move, and it’s a shame Google had to do this instead of the resellers themselves such as Ticketmaster-owned Seatwave and Viagogo.

“Google will require that sellers must display that they’re a reseller, warn that tickets are above face value, provide the total and breakdown of the price across fees and taxes before requiring payment information and prominently provide the face value of the tickets being sold in the same currency.”

“Google have taken a real step forward here. It is now up to the Government to enact my legislation in some form to complete the job.”

Deputy Rock concluded: “These forward thinking measures from Google will be fully enacted by March. Government should now work to match this timeline so we can comprehensively deal with the problem of ticket touting.”