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Hard-Coded Bias In Google Search Results?

Posted by timothy on from the where-the-pigeons-roost dept.

bonch writes "Technology consultant Benjamin Edelman has developed a methodology for determining the existence of a hard-coded bias in Google's search engine which places Google's services at the top of the results page. Searching for a stock ticker places Google Finance at the top along with a price chart, but adding a comma to the end of the query removes the Google link completely. Other variations, such as 'a sore throat' instead of 'sore throat,' removes Google Health from its top position. Queries in other categories provide links to not only Google services but also their preferred partners. Though Google claims it does not bias its results, Edelman cites a 2007 admission from Google's Marissa Mayers that they placed Google Finance at the top of the results page, calling it 'only fair' because they made the search engine. Edelman notes that Google cites its use of unbiased algorithms to dismiss antitrust scrutiny, and he recalls the DOJ's intervention in airlines providing favorable results for their own flights in customer reservation systems they owned."

8 of 257 comments (clear)

  1. No Way!! by revlayle · · Score: 4, Funny

    Google's search engine thinks links to Google-related stuff is more relevant? HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?!!

  2. The one that annoys me... by Gordonjcp · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... is the bloody stupid "autocorrect" thing. You know, where you type in something that doesn't have a lot of hits, and it comes back with "Showing results for . Click for results for ". A good example is "mkiss" which is a networking utility - type that in and you get millions of results for "kiss" which is totally the wrong thing.

    Google has become increasingly unusable. The stupid javascript preview thing is just about the last straw. I've since switched back to Altavista.

    1. Re:The one that annoys me... by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 3, Funny

      Comrade, are you suggesting that you know better than Google? Please remain where you are, and someone will be there shortly to assist you to a re-education center.

      --
      No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  3. Re:and? by SIR_Taco · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wow... it's bee a long time since I've been moded redundant because, if I remember correctly, the last time I was moded redundant was a long time ago.

    --
    I say don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink. Before you get behind the wheel just stop and think.
  4. Wow, I found something even more blatant by noidentity · · Score: 4, Funny

    Check this out... I search for "bing", and what do I get? A big Google link to the left of the search box. It's even above the search results, in special colors and everything. Talk about biasing the results in favor of Google services! Even worse, the tile bar... TITLE BAR of the window says "Google Search", even though I searched for Bing! The nerve of these people. The DOJ should come down HARD on them for this clear monopoly abuse.

  5. Perhaps.... by QuietLagoon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Perhaps it really shows how great google has been at acquiring businesses that are relevant in the Internet Age.

  6. Re:did a search on "search engine" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    well duh! you are already at google.

  7. Re:weird by doublebackslash · · Score: 2, Funny

    You deserve + mod. I lack mod points, so have this waffle instead (>'.')>#

    --
    md5sum /boot/vmlinuz
    d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e /boot/vmlinuz