Google's new search

[HockeyGod]

I wasn't exactly sure what to think of this. I tried typing in "adult" in Google and in fact the "instant" search did not begin, I had to hit enter.

Google's "Instant" search feature hopes to speed up search by displaying search results as you type--so long as your queries are PG, that is.

As The Register observes, Google Instant "includes a blacklist for words and phrases involving what the company considers 'violence, hate, or pornography.'" Whereas querying for neutral terms like "weather" or "restaurant" offers up a dropdown menu with suggested terms and presents a page of relevant search results, the streaming search tool does not work with "NSFW" search terms, which cause the page to go blank.

"We care a lot about child safety and these kinds of issues, so we had to think a lot about auto-complete and how that works as you're getting the results," Google product manager Johanna Wright said, according to The Register. "As a result, if you're typing for something that may not be appropriate for certain people to see, you won't see results until you press enter."

But many anatomical terms are also being censored by the search engine, although not consistently. As the slideshow below demonstrates, a query for "breast" and "testicle" were accepted by Google Instant, whereas typing "penis" or "vagina" were not compatible.

Users have taken issue with the restrictions on Google Instant searches. Robert Scoble tweeted Wednesday, "I want to turn off the Google censor on Google Instant. Try searching for a naughty word. Doesn't work. I feel like I live in China. Thanks!"

What do you think of Google's policy? See how Google Instant treats different queries in the slideshow below. Are the censored terms justified or not? Learn more about Google Instant , then check out users' reviews of the new tool, as well as the Google Instant "alphabet."

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/09/google-instant-search-blo_n_710199.html

[Trieste]

I really don't like Google instant anyway, but I really don't agree with this censor. It would be one thing if the Google Instant search results included their image results like the normal searches do, but they don't. And what exactly do they think they're stopping? All you have to do is type in penis and hit enter instead of watching the penis results pop up on your screen. It's a difference of only a few seconds and a negligible pinky movement for most typers.

I don't like that they pop up the first couple results from the picture section on you, either. If you're looking for things like brown recluse, often you'll get hit with images of necrotic bites when you might only be looking for anatomical information. In their quest to be more helpful, they actually are just being invasive.

[DarklingAlice]

It seems like a happy medium would just be to include the whole "safesearch" thing like they do with pictures. A simple toggle to just turn it off. Although I have to agree with Trie that it isn't actually stopping anything. So to my mind it is more inanity than actual censorship.

Regardless, I think it is an annoying headache-inducing feature <_<

[Nyarly]

I always wonder, why corporate guys claim to be concerned about child safety or similar stuff. After all, they care only about their reputation, that's the only reason they do such things, so why do they say that? Are there so many people who actually believe that corporations care about anything else than money?

[Wolfy]

I always wonder, why corporate guys claim to be concerned about child safety or similar stuff. After all, they care only about their reputation, that's the only reason they do such things, so why do they say that? Are there so many people who actually believe that corporations care about anything else than money?

Because if they didn't claim to care about children it would hurt their reputation?

Saying you care about the children is an instant ratings boost in most cases, ya know. >_>

[Lithos]

I do not mind the cencorship being there, not even it being the default BUT if there is no option to turn it off, then I have a problem with it. Should be my right to decide what I search for.

[Oniya]

I only ever use the Google bar at the top of my browser anyways.  The times I hit Google's home page for a 'first search' are negligible.

[Callie Del Noire]

It's not a PR thing but a 'we ca save money not dealing with the ultra-arch-uptight 'protect the world from itself' crowd'. Too many anti-everything wan jobs out there looking for a shot at them.  There should be a toggle but I think it's more of a cover our corporate ass move than anything else.

[Host of Seraphim]

I really wish Google hadn't messed around with everything lately. The changes to the image search, the eyesore backgrounds, and now this... bah! If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Speaking of fixing it... I just realized you can turn off Google Instant under search settings. Hooray!

[Will]

Regardless, I think it is an annoying headache-inducing feature <_<

YES!

I really wish Google hadn't messed around with everything lately. The changes to the image search, the eyesore backgrounds, and now this... bah! If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Speaking of fixing it... I just realized you can turn off Google Instant under search settings. Hooray!

YES!  The image search thing really bothered me already, but now this?  I have a hard time imagining a more annoying feature.  Suffice to say, that garbage is turned off.

[Caeli]

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it necessarily sucks? *shrugs* I can see where it might be useful if you're not really sure what you're searching for, and try some different searches without pressing enter to see what comes up, while modifying your search until you get what you want. I'm not for instant gratification, so I left it off, but there ways it can be handy.

I mean, they do ask if you want to try the instant search. If you try it and don't like it, there's a little link next to the search-button that allows you to turn it off without going off the page.

Personally, I like that Google tries a lot of new things - they have good ideas and bad ideas, and once in awhile they have some really cool and interesting ideas.

[Callie Del Noire]

I do agree that some of google's interface 'fixes' of late are UGLY. But a 'child safe' search thing should be a toggle like the 'adult images' bit on their image search.

Me personally.. I wish they'd stop trying to 'fix' the look.

[Caeli]

I think what was most disconcerting for me was the way that the search results came up. When it started changing, I thought something had gone wonky with my browser.

[Will]

Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it necessarily sucks? *shrugs* I can see where it might be useful if you're not really sure what you're searching for, and try some different searches without pressing enter to see what comes up, while modifying your search until you get what you want. I'm not for instant gratification, so I left it off, but there ways it can be handy.

I mean, they do ask if you want to try the instant search. If you try it and don't like it, there's a little link next to the search-button that allows you to turn it off without going off the page.

Personally, I like that Google tries a lot of new things - they have good ideas and bad ideas, and once in awhile they have some really cool and interesting ideas.

It is garbage in my opinion.  I suppose I should have added that personal disclaimer.  I can see how it would be useful too, but it seems like such a narrow range of usefulness that I can only see it being frustrating for my own use.  And as I said, I do have it turned off.

Honestly, the changes to the image search bother me lots more than Google Instant.  It feels incredibly cluttered, and even worse, this particular "fix" can't be turned off. :P

[Caeli]

I would actually be interested in seeing if there was a way we could select certain "search options" - old style, new style, beta-improvements, etc. That, or arrange for people to sign up for supposed improvements/changes and give feedback directly to Google about user interface functionality, instead of imposing the changes on everyone.

[HockeyGod]

And what exactly do they think they're stopping? All you have to do is type in penis and hit enter instead of watching the penis results pop up on your screen. It's a difference of only a few seconds and a negligible pinky movement for most typers.

I totally agree! Funny little Google.

It seems like a happy medium would just be to include the whole "safesearch" thing like they do with pictures. A simple toggle to just turn it off. Although I have to agree with Trie that it isn't actually stopping anything. So to my mind it is more inanity than actual censorship.

Regardless, I think it is an annoying headache-inducing feature <_<

See, I knew I loved you ;) I couldn't agree more with both comments.

I find the search a bit disconcerting and I'm sure I'll get used to it. I finally got accustomed to the completing words feature which I ended up finding semi-helpful. This is a bit odd for me. Maybe I'll change my thoughts with use  ;D Damn optimism! ;)

[DarklingAlice]

When it started changing, I thought something had gone wonky with my browser.

Ditto. They might have received a more positive response had they announced it and said: "here is the button to turn it on"; as opposed to implementing it out of the blue (although in fairness, it is very easy to turn off).