Google Manipulates Search Results, According to Study From Yelp and Legal Star Tim Wu
Source: ReCode
Google knowingly manipulates search results according to a research paper published Monday from several academics. The study presents evidence that the search giant sets out to hamper competitors and limit consumers options. The paper lands as Google prepares to release its response to the European Union investigation, which rests on similar claims about Googles comparison-shopping product.
The paper was authored by Tim Wu, the legal scholar and former FTC adviser, which is notable as he had previously penned a column in the New Republic saying that Google had successfully cleared a Federal Trade Commission investigation into search bias on its own merits, and not because of its lobbying prowess.
Now, two years later, Wu is making an about-face.
When the facts change, your thinking should change, Wu told Re/code about the evolution of his stance. The main surprising and shocking realization is that Google is not presenting its best product. In fact, its presenting a version of the product thats degraded and intentionally worse for consumers. He added: This is the closest Ive seen Google come to [being] the Microsoft case.
Read more: http://recode.net/2015/06/29/yelp-teams-with-legal-star-tim-wu-to-trounce-google-in-new-study
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)snort
(2,334 posts)No shit. Since I can no longer search using 'discussion' as a filter, I'm guessing 'cuz that doesn't lead to websites where you can BUY! BUY! BUY!, google is nearly useless to me.
a kennedy
(29,794 posts)7962
(11,841 posts)a kennedy
(29,794 posts)LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)Was recommended by someone on DU
rocktivity
(44,588 posts)The "To Figure This Out, You Had To Do A Freaking STUDY???" Category.
rocktivity
GeorgeGist
(25,327 posts)cosmicone
(11,014 posts)and start on page 2 on .. that is where the real search results are found.
Uncle Joe
(58,595 posts)Thanks for the thread, onehandle.
7962
(11,841 posts)Through DU I learned about duck duck go. No tracking
SoLeftIAmRight
(4,883 posts)RIP google
Saviolo
(3,284 posts)My husband opened a restaurant, and Yelp pesters him constantly to purchase advertising, which he can't afford yet (still a new business, still building that client base!)
Yelp has a system of "Preferred Reviews" and reviews that are not recommended by Yelp, usually from people with no people listed as friends, and only one or two reviews in total. What he found however, is that many businesses are complaining that if they don't go for Yelp's advertising, or do go for it, and then stop, their "preferred reviews" are suddenly lacking some of the better reviews that were there previously. They make a big deal on the site about businesses "not being able to pay to remove reviews." However, if you don't pay, some of those good reviews are suddenly "non-preferred" and do not contribute to your average score.
d_legendary1
(2,586 posts)Some of my favorite places have been trashed by some reviewers who had a bad time with a waiter instead of the place overall. I consider it the "For a good time call" of restaurant critiques.
rocktivity
(44,588 posts)Based on the first one hundred the search results:
Go Duck Go: #1
Yahoo: #1
Bing: 0
Google: 0
rocktivity
Orrex
(63,297 posts)And I'll be totally ready for this Y2K thing.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)but I know what propaganda looks like--especially in cases I know the real story or the way they sell the story but in any case I keep digging for the truth.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)And I think they are somehow connected to Amazon...they just love showing you Amazon finds.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)nradisic
(1,362 posts)way to go Tim Wu!
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)cascadiance
(19,537 posts)... as noted in this post back from the beginning of 2006.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x39220