Google’s search algorithm and false information
This article by The Guardian analyzes how a weakness in Google’s search algorithm has been exploited by extremists to spread biased information throughout the web. This quote sufficiently summarizes the article:
“The secret recipe of factors that feed into the algorithm Google uses to determine a web page’s importance – embedded with the biases of the humans who programmed it. These factors include how many and which other websites link to a page, how much traffic it receives, and how often a page is updated. People who are very active politically are typically the most partisan, which means that extremist views peddled actively on blogs and fringe media sites get elevated in the search ranking.”
A web page of information, no matter how false, could potentially be popularized to become mainstream through Google searches. In fact, the article argues that these days, abrasive, triggering information are even more likely to be spread. Given that, aside from being a source for information, the Internet has evolved into a site for entertainment and intrigue, I would say that this argument is entirely valid. Users who browse the Internet are now more vulnerable than ever to biased information: when investigating a subject – if it’s on a casual basis and not for education or work – if faced between a length scholarly article and one with a catchy title, we are more likely to choose the latter. Thus, an article that this written, shared and supported by a couple of active extremists could easily be spread. More shares and reposts lead to more links and traffic to the site. Eventually, a large group of unsuspecting viewers will be exposed to and influenced by the opinions of a few.
Like Google, Facebook and YouTube information-spreading mechanisms work in a similar fashion. On Facebook, more likes, views, and shares lead to more traffic. On YouTube, it’s the same way with views and subscribers. Although these algorithms do a good job of filtering out irrelevant information, they are prone to be exploited by false and triggering sources, especially in a world where people use the three sites as both sources of news and entertainment, leading to information often being absorbed casually without caution.
Google, Facebook, and YouTube are three of the main sites through which I receive information every day, and the same applies to many of those around me. Being one of the first generations to grow up with the prevalence of these three sites, one could say that our reliance and early exposure to them gives them power over the way we think, behave, and even our personality. Maybe it’s time for us to teach ourselves to use the Internet with caution.