Google is revamping its search algorithms in an attempt to ensure legal download websites appear higher in search results than illegal pirate sites.
The move will see Google take into account the number of valid copyright removal notices a site has received when deciding where it ranks.
Websites that host unlicensed copies of songs and films will be relegated in Google search results from Monday, in what is being seen as a major olive branch to the entertainment industry.
The music and film industries have complained for years about Google directing people to unlicensed material online.
The prominence in search results of alleged illicit filesharing websites such as Pirate Bay and MegaUpload has become a major sticking point in Google’s negotiations with the music industry as it attempts to strike licensing deals to launch its own service.
Chief executive of the BPI, which represents record labels, Geoff Taylor said: “Consumers overwhelmingly want and expect the top search results for entertainment content to feature legal, licensed services.”
“We will look carefully at how much impact this change will have in practice, but we welcome the announcement from Google and will be pressing other search engines to follow suit.”
The move could also signal the launch of music service outside the US, as Google looks to appease record labels and convince them to sign licensing deals.
Taylor described the announcement as a breakthrough and said it would be helpful to Google’s plans to launch its digital music service in the UK.
Speaking to the Guardian, Taylor said: “This has the potential to be really significant, but it all depends how it is reflected in the results people see,” Taylor said “It makes us feel that Google is a little bit more on our side. It’s helpful background music to these [Google Music] discussions, certainly.”
Google added that YouTube and other user-generated websites will not be negatively affected by the change.
