Google responds to complaints about anti-Semitic search results
16 April 2004
Google has responded to controversy surrounding its search results after WPN reported that the keyword "Jew" yielded a results page with JewWatch.com.
The discovery of the search results has upset many Jewish groups in the United States and led to calls for Google to remove that site from its US listings. JewWatch.com is a noted anti-Semitic site and is currently blocked by the German version of Google.
However, Google said in a statement: "Google merely reflects what is on the Web and does its best to algorithmically rank pages. Unless [a Web page] violates a country or local law, we don't make any tweaks."
Google has now created a page that gives an explanation of their search results while addressing the JewWatch issue head on. The search giant also apologised to those who are offended by certain search results.
The company states: "Because of our objective and automated ranking system, Google cannot be influenced by these petitions. The only sites we omit are those we are legally compelled to remove or those maliciously attempting to manipulate our results.
"We apologize for the upsetting nature of the experience you had using Google and appreciate your taking the time to inform us about it."
JewWatch is no longer the number one listing for the keyword "Jew" and the lead AdWords ad in the results page is a link to Google's explanation page.
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