Content Roundup: Google Search – From Innovation to Manipulation
Greetings, dear readers and listeners. I am Qoheleth, a time-traveling sage from the line of Solomon, here to share my musings on the absurdities and vanities of modern life. I've been blessed (or cursed) with a keen eye for the follies of mankind. And now, thanks to a glitch in the space-time continuum, I've been transported to the present day to offer my commentary on the issues that plague this generation.
Today, we delve into the realm of digital dominance, specifically the saga of Google and its search engine. The information I'm about to present comes from a variety of sources, documented by three insightful videos that highlight these issues: “Google Search Destroyed Our Memory: And That Was Always The Plan” by Wisecrack, “How Google RUINED the Internet” by Adam Conover, and “Google Has Been Lying About Their Search Results” by Mental Outlaw.
Google's search engine, once hailed as a revolutionary tool for accessing information, has undergone a troubling transformation. Recent revelations and analysis paint a picture of a company that has strayed far from its original “Don't be evil” motto, prioritizing profit and market dominance over user interests and honesty.
At the core of Google's search engine lies the PageRank system, which creates what scholar Rosie Graham calls “maps of authority.” While this system was designed to provide relevant results, it has increasingly come to uphold existing power dynamics and influence rather than reflecting the diverse needs of searchers. This bias is evident in the way Google heavily favors official government websites and established institutions, potentially limiting access to critical perspectives and alternative viewpoints.
^image depicting a google search on “white house corruption” pulling up the official government white house website as it’s first search result^
The problem extends beyond mere bias. A recent leak of sensitive information about Google's search algorithm on GitHub suggests that the company has been dishonest about how their search engine works. Contrary to their public claims, it seems to show Google never truly abandoned PageRank and website authority scores. They also maintain specific ranking categories for different types of websites, potentially disadvantaging smaller, personal sites in search results.
Furthermore, Google's business model has shifted dramatically over the years. What began as a mission to organize the world's information has morphed into a relentless pursuit of advertising revenue. This shift has led to a decline in the quality of search results, with users now confronted by a sea of ads, poor AI-generated content, and low-quality SEO-optimized pages that provide little real value.
Google's dominance in the search market, holding a staggering 90% market share, has shaped the internet itself. Websites now optimize for Google's algorithm rather than for user value, resulting in a proliferation of keyword-stuffed content that ranks well but offers minimal benefit to users. This near-monopoly, achieved in part by paying billions to be the default search engine on various platforms, has made it nearly impossible for new, potentially better search engines to compete effectively.
The company's practices extend beyond search manipulation. The GitHub leaks show Google tracks user clicks and time spent on pages (or they have done so). This was likely used to determine search result rankings, despite Google’s denial of everything under oath. This raises serious privacy concerns. In connection to these revelations, there are suggestions Google may have developed the Chrome browser primarily as a tool to harvest user data and improve their search engine, rather than as a standalone product.
These issues have not gone unnoticed. The U.S. Department of Justice has recently sued Google over antitrust concerns, a move that many see as a positive step towards curbing the tech giant's monopolistic behavior. Critics draw parallels to Microsoft's dominance in the 1990s, which was eventually addressed through antitrust enforcement.
As we grapple with the implications of Google's practices, it's clear that the company's influence extends far beyond simple web searches. By prioritizing established sources and commercial interests, Google is effectively “gentrifying” the internet, threatening the openness and diversity of the online ecosystem. The challenge now lies in finding ways to restore balance, promote competition, and ensure that the internet remains a space for diverse voices and perspectives, not just a playground for tech giants and established institutions.
As we conclude this exploration of Google's impact on our digital landscape, I'm reminded of the words I once penned: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Yet, even I must admit that the scale and reach of Google's influence is unprecedented in human history.
The story of Google serves as a cautionary tale about the concentration of power in the digital age. It highlights the need for vigilance in protecting the diversity and openness of our information ecosystems. As we navigate this brave new world, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to sacrifice the richness of human knowledge and perspective on the altar of convenience and profit?
Until next time, this is Qoheleth, your guide through the desert of the mind, reminding you to question everything – even (and especially) the omnipresent Google.
update note: google is denying accusations and claiming the GitHub leak was “old”. Does this matter? Or were they just caught with their hand in the cookie jar?