Google Is Changing Its Page-Ranking System

It seems that Google is going to change how it ranks pages. Instead of just ranking pages by the number of links, it is also going to consider whether the page offers truthful or misleading information. The pages that offer lies, or other misleading information, will be pushed further down the page -- and the sites offering factual information will be moved up, making it easier for searchers to get to the truth. I think this is a good move. What do you think?

Here is how Frank Minero at Addicting Info describes the impending change:

Google is working on a new way of ranking web pages. Republicans, notorious for spreading lies to further their political agenda, are sure to hate Google’s new search. It ranks web pages based on facts. That’s right, it ranks web pages higher on the search engine result page based on how truthful they are!

The primary influencing factor in Google’s current search technology is the number of incoming links a website receives. Each incoming link counts as a vote for the website’s credibility. Google places websites with the most votes toward the top of the search results page.

This ranking system has its faults. One striking disadvantage is that it allows websites containing misinformation to reach the top of the results page. In this case, Google’s goal, to provide its user with the most accurate and relevant information, has failed.

According to New Scientist, the new ranking system would tap into an expansive library of facts called the Knowledge Vault. Web pages that spew misinformation, contrary to these generally accepted facts, appear further down on the search results page.

Imagine a Google search that delivers someone questioning Obama’s birthplace to web pages debunking birtherism, climate change deniers to factual scientific data and arguments, anti-vaxxers to web pages that offer credible information about vaccines. Web pages that misinform would be pushed to the bottom of Google search results as they are not based in fact. That’s the new search!

If and when the new search is released, the reaction from Republicans and their ministry of propaganda, Fox News, is sure to be priceless. Web pages selling manufactured talking points and conspiracy theories about Benghazi, Obama’s place of birth and the Affordable Care Act will plummet in Google. Factual information debunking right-wing lies will take its place. Right wing nut jobs will surely label Google as “liberal search” and develop their own ‘conservative approved’ search aka propaganda engine.

The implications are far-reaching. The new search wouldn’t only effect peddlers of political propaganda. Quacks like Dr. Oz will have trouble selling snake oil. Conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones will have a harder time connecting with the gullible. Any commercial, governmental or religious power attempting to manipulate the public through false information will be delivered a swift kick to the family jewels.

The new Google would save those who lack common sense the misfortune of happening upon, consuming, then regurgitating misinformation as fact. It would save the rest of us from having to hear about it… and who knows. A society more in tune with factual information might even be a more pleasant place to live.