Google Shadowban: Detection and Analysis

Jul 8, 2024

Google Shadowban: Detection and Analysis

Introduction

  • Presenter: Kutus
  • Topic: Discussion of potential shadowbanning by Google of a particular website deidetekcja.com.
  • Initial observations: Almost certain (80-90%) that there's something deliberate happening, with a small chance it might be due to algorithmic SEO issues

Problem Overview

  • Website deidetekcja.com not appearing in Google search results.
  • Appears at the top in other search engines like Bing and DuckDuckGo.
  • Experiment: Manual search confirms that deidetekcja.com does not appear in Google.

Possible Explanations

  1. Intentional Shadowbanning:
    • Google curating search results based on its preferences or policies.
    • Concerns over Google censoring content it doesn’t approve of.
    • Privileges from Section 230 being misused.
  2. Technical Issues:
    • Possible issues like robots.txt file not properly configured.
    • Indexing issues due to incorrect HTTP status codes.
    • Bad website development configurations identified using Google Page Insights.

Arguments Against Intentionality

  • Some users argued technical misconfiguration could be the cause.
  • Expert input: Poor website configuration may result in indexing issues.
  • Counter Argument: Other search engines listing it suggests otherwise.

Scenario Analysis

  • Automated Indexing Issues:
    • HTTP status codes causing issues on mobile and desktop indexing.
    • Google’s indexing behavior potentially compared to other engines.
    • Debate about Google's automatic versus manual indexing processes.

Philosophical Consideration

  • Google as a Tool:
    • Tools should be functional without biases.
    • Hammer analogy explaining that tools should not restrict user's intentions.
  • Regulation:
    • Need for regulation in tech companies regarding content censorship.
    • Questions about the role of government regulation and enforcement.

Real-world Examples

  • Mention of other controversial websites having similar issues.
  • Legal/political context around DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and its implications.

Conclusion

  • Ongoing debate if this is intentional or purely technical.
  • Need for reliable evidence to firmly conclude Google's motives.
  • Potential future research to involve experts for technical validation.

Next Steps

  • Further technical investigation by developers.
  • Explore legal and regulatory discussions around tech censorship.
  • Keep monitoring the behavior of similar websites to compare indexing patterns.