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?
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4 Responses to “Google Suggest Censors Results”
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Actually, it does not suggest the n word, but rather suggests nigga, also it doesn’t suggest ****, in addition to avoiding the word ****. Actually google almost seems to go through logical contortions to avoid “unsensitive” suggestions. I can understand their need to be polite considering the Internet is also for children and those with the mental fortitude of children, I find it an obstacle when I am conducting research and get the feeling that google is trying to be “sensitive” or that they are bowing to presure. Why not offer “uncensored” google for the grownups and “censored” google for those without the wearwithal to deal with harsh language.
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…
Hmmm, now I know there is no *** for me – since even google can’t find any?!
It’s still Beta, that’s probably why it hasn’t been thoroughly gone through yet.