What happened to Google search?

[Spartacus_x]

I can no longer seem to find the option to turn off SafeSearch. :? I can turn it ON and block all explicit content, but it's more or less already been blocked - it seems like "moderate" setting is now default, and the only thing you can do is make it more strict.

What gives?

 

[js324]

yeah it appears that there's no unfiltered settings, but then to test it i searched for "gay sex" and it basically asked me if I wanted to continue or go to the safesearch settings, I clicked "continue," and it took me to results depicting the thing we all love most, but reminded me that I could always filter the results. I also went to the gear symbol and went to "search settings" and it showed a box I could check if I wanted to filter explicit results, so I guess "safesearch" is basically gone now

 

[ihno]

In the german version it's still there, on the top of the page, next to the icon with the loupe.

I also find the constant changes of the outfit annoying, also and more with youtube.

 

[ihno]

You're totally right.

google profits much from people's inflexibility and lazyness (including mine).

 

[Mardo]

I did try using Bing for a while... but went back to Google, it just seems better somehow.

It's creepy the way google puts up ads to catch your eye and does this by analyzing you and your searches. Youtube is the same as when not even logged into my youtube account it still remembers what I looked at before and then similar videos come up for me to click. Sometimes it's convenient and easy, other times annnoying and I feel like my choices and freedom are being taken away.

Maybe it is time to experiment and try some others. But it feels like going against the tide and it is easier to just swim along in the same directions as most people go.

 

[bib-33]

still wrks 4 me, Options Gear (upperright) > preferences page > safesearch options ... etc

 

[andmnz]

I've noticed this to. I know I don't have safe search "on" but it doesn't specify that's it's off either. So I'm completely confused as to if my search is unfiltered or not :S

 

[bigsal]

The European Community has investigated Google for invasion of privacy.

Await the results.

 

[zaylor]

If you wish to determine if the "safe search" is on or off I suggest you perform an image search on the name Jenya. You will find out very quickly if it is on or off.

My own personal opinion of Google is they are too big and too intrusive.

I don't like Big Brother looking over my shoulder.

Zaylor

 

[ihno]

Even if you are lazy and have a google account, log out before you search for "dirty dicks" etc.

 

[bib-33]

perhaps safe search has been "locked" in unlocking requires google account log in

 

[dargelos]

Google from your phone and big G is recording where you came from, where youre going to, who your friends are. On landline it is making note of what music you like, what films you like, what diseases you have, how your mind works. Its all saved and analysed. Scared? You should be.

 

[tonka]

Google is a business. They give me all this online capability...for free. They make their money with the information that generates.
So far, it's been a great deal for me. As far as I can see, it's been a great deal for everybody.
Some of us might be secret agents or whatever. Most of us are regular people, and our information will be pretty mundane.

 

[ihno]

Google is a business. They give me all this online capability...for free. They make their money with the information that generates.
So far, it's been a great deal for me. As far as I can see, it's been a great deal for everybody.
Some of us might be secret agents or whatever. Most of us are regular people, and our information will be pretty mundane.

You have to be careful with personal information and what information you provide.

If you google two or three times for wine for example and then get phonecalls, where people offer you wine, then it gets annoying.

 

[topdog]

I can no longer seem to find the option to turn off SafeSearch. :? I can turn it ON and block all explicit content, but it's more or less already been blocked - it seems like "moderate" setting is now default, and the only thing you can do is make it more strict.

What gives?

Actually, I think it's the moderate setting that is now gone - SafeSearch (filtered settings) is either on or off. The default is off, which is a bit surprising.

Also, as ihno said, when you need to use Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail/Live/Outlook, or (especially) Facebook - login and do your business and then log out. Never stay logged in. All those services are tracking every site you visit while you are still logged in.

Also, set your browser to delete all cookies when you close the browser. That stops any efforts by a site to keep your session open and track your browsing history.

 

[Spartacus_x]

Actually, I think it's the moderate setting that is now gone - SafeSearch (filtered settings) is either on or off. The default is off, which is a bit surprising.

Yes, but those search results are already censored. Turning SafeSearch on only makes them more censored - there doesn't seem to be an option to turn it off completely.
For example, a search "Adam Killian fucks" will not return anything, or at least not anything you might expect. And that's without SafeSearch being switched on.
However, with some more general terms, like "gay sex", you WILL get some results. But not with more specific search terms, like I already said.
It's just a mess.

However, the regional sites (like google.co.uk etc.) are not affected, and you can still choose between SafeSearch settings - on, moderate and off.

 

[regnomraw]

Hi spartacus, I started a thread on the same issue on gayheaven - I managed to get the explicit images back but it was really unintuitive.

Look @ my last post on this thread for a possible solution.

http://www.gayheaven.org/t306612-google-censors-images.html

Cheers

 

[dargelos]

As Tonka says, some of us are secret agents, so we use DDG to keep the CIA off our backs.
He must be trustworthy, he has a nice cat.