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Every Google result now looks like an ad (twitter.com)

3592 points by cmod · 2456 days ago · 972 comments on HN

Article summary

A recent design change to Google search results has made it harder to distinguish between ads and regular search results, with some suggesting this is intentional. The change adds favicons and extra header text to search results, making them resemble ads. This has sparked a discussion about Google's priorities and whether they are still aligned with providing quality search results to users. The company's original founders had expressed concerns about the potential for advertising to bias search results.

Main themes

  • Google search results design change
  • Advertising and revenue priorities
  • Morality and ethics in business
  • Alternative search engines
  • User experience and transparency
  • Subjectivity of morality and ethics

What commenters say

  • Google's design change is seen as a deliberate attempt to blur the line between ads and search results, prioritizing revenue over user experience.
  • The company's shift in priorities is attributed to its growth and desire for profit, leading to a perceived decline in its commitment to transparency and user needs.
  • Some argue that Google's actions are not inherently evil, but rather a natural consequence of its business model and the subjective nature of morality.
  • Others believe that Google's original motto of 'don't be evil' has been abandoned in favor of a more profit-driven approach, which is seen as a negative development.
  • The discussion highlights the complexity of determining what is morally right or wrong, with some arguing that these concepts are subjective and dependent on individual perspectives.
  • There is a desire for alternative search engines, such as Bing or DuckDuckGo, to improve and provide a viable alternative to Google's dominance.
  • Some commenters suggest that using these alternative search engines and providing feedback can help improve their search results and contribute to a healthier internet ecosystem.