Google is now testing a much-needed feature that could let users know whenever they search for a question that may have a list of unreliable results. The tech giant’s power move is an essential step to ensure that users get more context about various information that’s popular online, as well as to prevent misinformation.
Google Search Engine’s New Feature
According to VOX, users will see, “If this topic is new, it can sometimes take time for results to be added by reliable sources.”
Google’s new prompt will now warn users that their search results are changing quickly.
The search engine giant recently confirmed that it has already started testing the new feature, and that the notice has been showing up on a small percentage of Google searches.
These searches tend to focus more on trending topics that continuously develop.
Social Media Against Misinformation
Various companies such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google have been struggling to handle the extremely high volume of social media misinformation, unverified news stories, and conspiracy theories that rampantly take over the internet.
During the 2020 US elections and the COVID-19 pandemic, several companies decided to take down popular accounts that contributed to the spread of questionable information.
However, Google’s new feature is even more convenient because it allows daily users to identify reliable news from unreliable results. It does not block specific content — it educates users that certain results are not credible.
Read Also: Google Search Blocks Autocomplete Functions Before Election Day 2020 to Prevent Misinformation
Google’s Fight Against Fake News
In the VOX report, a public liaison for Google Search, Danny Sullivan, said that the company is trying to show relevant and reliable results. However, it could be hard to exemplify because of the new information it gets every second.
Sullivan mentioned that the notice does not say whether a piece of information is right or wrong. It only states that the topic is constantly changing, and that in-depth information may come later.
For example, Sullivan used a report about UFO sighting in the UK.
He said that a civilian released the report in Wales, where it had a bit of media coverage. Nevertheless, there is still not enough information about the said event. But we cannot stop people from searching about it by looking through social media posts and, of course, Google.
With this, Google can already tell if it is already starting to trend.
Some articles and social media posts tend to have higher SEO rank even though they are not the most credible sources. These are the search results that will get the warning.
As a result, Google can let people know that there is still not much reliable information out there, and that new information may come along later. It will stop people from spreading false rumors and malicious claims, especially now that anyone can post anything on the internet — both real and fake.
Related Article: Twitter vs. Misinformation: How Twitter Will Handle Social Media Misinformation with Warning Labels
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Written by Fran Sanders
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