New EU study highlights policy levers to strengthen discoverability of European cultural content online

A new study on the discoverability of diverse European cultural content in the digital environment has been published by the Publications Office of the European Union, providing timely evidence to inform current EU cultural and digital policy debates. KEA European Affairs is among the authors of the report commissioned by the European Commission (DG EAC).

Published at a moment when the European Union is reassessing the role of culture in the digital transition, platform governance and Europe’s cultural sovereignty, the study offers a comprehensive analysis of how European cultural works are made visible in online markets shaped by platforms and algorithms.

The study examines how European cultural content is discovered and accessed online, with a focus on the music and book sectors, while also considering developments in other cultural and creative fields. It analyses the influence of platform curation, recommender systems, metadata and algorithmic design on exposure to Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity. The research combines desk research, sectoral analysis, stakeholder interviews, focus groups and a Europe‑wide consumer survey, ensuring a solid evidence base for policymaking.

The findings are especially relevant in the context of:

• ongoing discussions on the implementation and future review of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA);
• EU objectives to promote cultural diversity and pluralism in digital environments;
• the role of platforms in shaping access to culture and creativity;
• broader reflections on Europe’s cultural competitiveness and strategic autonomy in the digital economy.

Evidence to inform future EU cultural and digital policies

The report shows that discoverability is not a purely technical or market‑driven issue, but a policy‑relevant concern with consequences for creators’ livelihoods, audience access, and the diversity of cultural expressions available online. It highlights structural imbalances affecting the visibility of European and independent content, and underlines the importance of transparency, data quality and governance in platform‑based cultural markets.

It provides a strong analytical foundation for future EU policy action at the intersection of culture, digital regulation and competition, supporting more coherent and evidence‑based approaches.

Final conference to discuss findings and policy implications

The publication of the study will be followed by a final public conference organised by the European Commission on 20 April 2026 in Brussels. The event will bring together policymakers, cultural and creative sector stakeholders, creators, rights holders, online platforms and researchers to discuss the study’s findings and their implications for European cultural and digital policy. The programme will feature presentations of key research insights and policy recommendations, alongside panel discussions reflecting different sectoral and market perspectives.

More information and registration details are available here.