Google to alter results for extremist-related searches

Google has said that it will alter the top results for users who search for extremist-related content under a new pilot scheme. As a part of the scheme, the search engine will bring up the ‘wrong’ top searches when a user is seeking potential extremist websites, instead providing links to anti-radicalisation content. These counter extremism messages will be included in ‘AdWords’, the sponsored links which appear at the top of a Google search. The move was announced by Dr Anthony House, a senior Google executive, when giving evidence to the Commons’ home affairs select committee about the role internet companies can play in combatting extremism. House said: “We are working on counter-narratives around the world. This year one of the things we’re looking at is we are running two pilot programmes. One is to make sure these types of views are more discoverable. The other is to make sure when people put potentially damaging search terms into our search engine they also find these counter narratives.”