Not google’s fault……

[icepac]

…that they return results completely unrelated to your search terms.

[Bizman]

Yepp.

Finding the right key words can be challenging...

Not to mention that if you find exactly the phrase you were using for searching, it often is simply your words copied by a bot to lead you to a fake site that tries to infect your system.

[icepac]

When you use command line and search line switches and still with the unrelated content.

[Bizman]

Keyword stuffing is an old invention, misleading metadata as well. I've seen web pages with a page of a book or a listing of all towns in your country as keywords - the latter can be frustrating if you're looking for a local service! And they don't necessarily lie but the cost of a minor task done by a fellow who has had to fly and stay at the hotel may be a bit more than expected!

Another issue is that the algorithm can be fooled to raise a fake site on the top. That's not new either but requires more sophisticated coding.

And then there's how you manage your browsers. I suppose the most misleading scenario is to be signed into Google using Chrome and having all Google settings at default. The algorithm will soon learn about your interests and preferences and offer you results it thinks you may like.

[Shuffler]

It is much harder to find info on Google that it used to be. Too much garbage to sift through.


Google also favors those who spend money with them.


Thankfully some of the add blockers do a great job of blocking ads on sites and google, including youtube. The only ads on youtube that I ever see are those included in the video by the video maker.

[Mano]

I started using Brave a couple years ago. It is a lot faster than Google and no trackers to slow down your searches.

 

[Eagler]

Its called google ads...their desire for obscene profits with their SEO services,  you get what they want you to get in your searches...

Eagler

[RotBaron]

…that they return results completely unrelated to your search terms.

It isn’t? 

I’ll assume you’re being facetious, however if you are not:

There are so many things you can try to search using very simple phrasing and Google renders what they want you to see, not what you want to find more about.

I tried finding a video that was even mentioned on local CBS about a certain person being in a secure place yesterday evening when that location was off limits to them because of their interest (rather conflict of such)…. Google will not provide a link to the video.

Pure manipulation and not a one off.

[sparky127]

Ever notice that all of these discrepancies seem to go one way?  Purely anecdotal, I know...

[icepac]

Most handy search line switch is adding -shopping to the search string.   

I also use ":site" (without quotes) to search within a site who's search engine is terrible.

Auto correct and suggestions get in the way of scientific and engineering searches so mine is off.

[pallero]

Can this explane something?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O_NvPpbsbw

[Eagler]

All part of the thought control process called the internet...

And the majority of its users are too uninformed,  ignorant and self absorbed to realize nor care..

Eagler

[icepac]

Google maps is starting to pick navigation routes that send you past the maximum amount of advertisers.

[Bizman]

One thing to remember is that Google is an advertising company, their income relies on advertisers. And any advertiser wants good value for their investment. All "free" services by Google are just for gathering viewers to ads.

Even a multi-gazillionaire would soon run out of funds should he fund all the services.

[icepac]

They could be open to liability if it can be proven that their routing caused a private citizen to not make it to the hospital during a medical emergency…….unless emergency route function is selectable.   

I should explore the settings and menu before commenting on google maps further.