Google’s Search Practices go Under the Microscope




/ 9 years ago

Google

Do you find that when you use a search engine that all of the results come from a single source or are favoured from a particular review site? Well, that’s what Tim Wu, Columbia Law School Professor, has set to prove in his latest research paper.

What Wu has aimed to achieve is that whenever you use Google based search engines, the results given are curved relating to Google+ reviews and information. In some ways this is great, however, you are not receiving the full spectrum of truth (or lies) from the rest of the internet.

By testing each term twice, once in Google’s Universal search and another by using a plug-in called Focus On the Users; Wu was able to retrieve the information that he was looking for. The additional plug-in can utilise the original search engine algorithm without the additional information from Google+.

As you can see from the results, the same search had two very different yields.google-universal-search-1

google-universal-search-2

Generally papers like this wouldn’t carry much weight, however, Wu was a Google and net neutrality proponent. If you wish to read the entire paper, here is the 46 page embedded version for you.

I personally never look at the Google suggested reviews whenever I look for information, I use dedicated websites and forums. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.

Thank you to ZDNet for providing us with this information.


Topics: , , , ,

Support eTeknix.com

By supporting eTeknix, you help us grow and continue to bring you the latest newsreviews, and competitions. Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest technology news, reviews and more. Share your favourite articles, chat with the team and more. Also check out eTeknix YouTube, where you'll find our latest video reviews, event coverage and features in 4K!

Looking for more exciting features on the latest technology? Check out our What We Know So Far section or our Fun Reads for some interesting original features.

eTeknix Facebook eTeknix Twitter eTeknix Instagram eTeknix Instagram
  • Be Social With eTeknix

    Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Reddit RSS Discord Patreon TikTok Twitch
  • Features


Send this to a friend
})