In recent years, Google has been working on its search algorithm to ensure users get relevant results for their queries. Recently, Google has taken another step to refine its search results with a development that might have an immense impact on Canadian citizens specifically. Starting June 1, 2019, the company is “blocking” news results in some Canadian searches by readjusting its Autocomplete feature. This article explores why Google has blocked news results in some Canadian searches, how it will affect Canadian users, and what it could mean for future Google search results.
Autocomplete
Google Autocomplete is a feature that provides suggested results based on search query attempts as they are typed. It offers keyword suggestions below the search bar, which aim to help users refine their search queries and save time. As a result of Autocomplete, Google influences user behavior and guides thought processes.
Development Overview
In the a statement, the company said the new update to Autocomplete is specifically for Canadian users. Google has removed news results from Autocomplete on some queries in efforts to prevent users from being misled by biased or incorrect information. With this move, Google is looking to “ensure Canadians get the most relevant information from authoritative sources when they are searching for news related queries.” As such, this development serves as a refining step for Google to provide more relevant and accurate search results.
Impact on Canadian Users
Reducing news sources in some Canadian searches is significant as it will limit which news sources the public has access to when researching online. The following lists how this new development will affect Canadian users:
• Limit news sources: Canadian’s access to news sources will be limited, as they will no longer see these in their Autocomplete list of queries.
• Change user behavior: Canadian’s search behavior may change as they’ll have to make more extensive search queries instead of relying on Autocomplete to make assumptions and refine their queries quickly with keyword suggestions.
• Reduce misinformation: Reduce the spread of misinformation that may have been caused by bias, error, or false information.
• Increase authoritative sources: Help increase the use of authoritative sources and trust in news from valid outlets when accessing news content.
Why Block News Results?
Google is blocking news results from some Canadian searches for a few key reasons.
• Improve integrity: Google wants to ensure users receive valid news information from reliable sources, which helps maintain the integrity of the search engine and its ability to provide accurate results.
• Mirror Canadian guidelines: Google is following Canadian laws, which state that foreign media outlets are not allowed to be included on Canadian searches.
• Reduce bias: In some cases, news sources may be biased and therefore, include inaccurate information, which Google wants to reduce with this new update
Potential Long-term Implications
While Google’s blocking of news results in some Canadian searches may be beneficial in the short-term, there may be some long-term implications that come along with the move. The following lists a few potential long-term implications of blocking news results in Canadian searches:
• Reduce competition: This move by Google will reduce competition amongst news sources and therefore, lead to fewer companies participating in news related searches, which may limit the information available to Canadian users.
• Lack of innovation: With limited companies participating in news related searches, the industry may suffer from lack of innovation, creativity, and risk taking as those companies have less incentive to be creative, since their presence is already established.
• Lose trust: Canadian users may eventually lose trust in Google search results, as they may feel like the search engine is not providing them with impartial and accurate results.
Google has taken the inaugural step of blocking news results in some Canadian searches, with the hope of creating a more accurate and relevant search experience for Canadian users. This move will reduce news sources that Canadian’s have access to when researching online, as well as affect their search behavior. Furthermore, it will impair competition and lead to potential long-term implications for the industry. Whether or not Google’s passing measure is effective, time will tell.
