Competitors who want to challenge Google to be the default search engines on new Android devices in Europe will have to pay for the privilege. Google plans to auction spots on a choice screen from which users will select their preferred search engine.

The move comes a year after the European Commission fined the US tech giant 4.34 billion euros (A$7.1 billion) for blocking rivals by pre-installing its Chrome browser and search app on Android smartphones and notebooks.

From next year Google users will be able to pick a default search engine from four options, including Google, when they set up a new Android smartphone or tablet.

Google will carry out auctions in each EU country to see who will join it on the choice screen with highest bidders winning the contracts.