Google Suggest Censors Results
Google recently developed a new beta service called Google Suggest:
It lets you type search terms in a box, and pops up queries starting with those terms, showing the number of results. It’s an easy way to let you walk the Google search tree… in theory. Unfortunately, it has a propensity for filtering search results. For example, typing “se” brings up:
But, just add an x to that, and ask Google what it can suggest for “sex,” and you get nothing:
That’s right–Google doesn’t suggest “sex.”
Google also dislikes the f-word. “Fuc” brings up this list:
But when you add the magic k, all your results disappear!
What’s interesting, though, is what they do allow. Who knows why:
This is probably intentional censoring here. A list of additional censored terms can be found by typing in your favorite list of sexually, or generally offensive phrases–most of them refuse to appear. Racially offensive phrases? Well, Google encourages you to be a racist:
Why filter some, if you won’t catch them all?
This entry was posted on Friday, December 10th, 2004 at 5:42 pm and is tagged with type search terms, sex google, google search, offensive phrases, beta service, google, search tree, f word, fuc, censors, propensity, racist, queries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback.
on December 11th, 2004 at 2:06 am
It’s still Beta, that’s probably why it hasn’t been thoroughly gone through yet.
on December 12th, 2004 at 2:07 pm
Hmmm, now I know there is no *** for me - since even google can’t find any?!
on December 13th, 2004 at 8:42 am
Google Suggest
In the gaggle of posts on the new Google Suggest Beta search tool, these are the ones I’ve found notable:
Best Quote: That’s right-Google doesn’t suggest “***.” by Elliot Back (And here I thought Google Guy was tight-lipped)
Most U…