this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2023
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How Google Alters Search Queries to Get at Your Wallet - WIRED (www.wired.com)
submitted 1 year ago by ijeff@lemdro.id to c/technology@beehaw.org
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cross-posted from !google@lemdro.id

  • Google may be altering billions of search queries daily to generate results that increase purchases.
  • Testimony in an antitrust case revealed an internal Google slide about changes to its search algorithm, involving "semantic matching" to generate more commercial results.
  • Google covertly changes user queries, substituting them with ones that generate more revenue for the company and display shopping-oriented results.
  • This manipulation benefits Google's profits but harms search quality and raises advertiser costs.
  • Despite legal challenges, Google's market dominance allows it to continue these practices, impacting users' ability to access unbiased information.
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[–] that_one_guy@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I wonder what the reaction will be from the companies hiring Google's advertising services. On the one hand, Google is clearly ensuring that they get as much money out of the deal as possible, but it also must lead to more people seeing the advertised brand, likely even encouraging it's sales. The author suggests that this is a bad deal for companies working with Google, as well as Google's users, but I can't help but think that the companies purchasing ads from Google are coming out ahead on this one.

[–] LallyLuckFarm@beehaw.org 2 points 1 year ago

Anecdotally, I have a generally negative perception of the brands placed in the way of actual search results. They're rarely relevant to my actual wants or needs, let alone the search terms, and it colors my expectations that they'd be capable of helping me even if I did want their products or services given the low QC on where their ads are shown.