Google: Michelle Obama Pic Not Our Fault

(CNET)  This story was written by CNET's Tom Krazit.

Google has reserved one of its valuable ad spaces on Google Image Search to explain why an offensive image of Michelle Obama appears as the first result for searches on her name.

Search Engine Land noted that last week, Google had removed the image after claiming the site hosting it was spreading malware, but it's back with the ad featured prominently above the image results. "Sometimes our search results can be offensive," Google said in the ad copy. "We agree. Read more."

Clicking on the ad takes you to a special page on Google's site where the company explains "sometimes Google search results from the Internet can include disturbing content, even from innocuous queries. We assure you that the views expressed by such sites are not in any way endorsed by Google." Google said its policy in matters like this is to only remove content from its site if that content is illegal, violates Google's Webmaster guidelines in some way, or if the site owner requests the content be removed.

What's not clear, however, is what triggers the company to take out an ad explaining the search results: after all, there's no shortage of things on the Internet that would offend the average person. Google did not immediately respond to a request for more information about how those decisions are made.

Search Engine Land notes Google has also taken out explanation ads against search queries such as "jew" and "miserable failure," the search query that introduced much of the world to the concept of the Google bomb when searches for those keywords were orchestrated to point to the official Web site of former President George W. Bush by taking advantage of Google's PageRank formula.

[ktgilb1]

by nowhiningallowed November 24, 2009 4:16 PM EST
...boo-hoo-hoo, whiny-whiny-woo...where was all of your sanctimonious and self-righteous hypocritical indignation when caricatures were being made of those prior to that of Mrs. Obama? At least I referenced the situation in terms of a generality. I think that's called objectivity. And, don't be so sure of your smug self in prematurely concluding that the Obamas will be around a long time, which I presume you're referencing in terms of their current stint.



If I recall correctly, no one made fun of Laura Bush. It amazes me how much you repubs want to laud the constitution,and talk about free speech when it comes to our current President. Where were you when the prior admin totally trashed the Constitution, and walked all over the bill of rights ?

[patocc123]

Same arguement differnt administration.

Anyone who attacks or defends without acknowledge that both sides did it then and now are idiots with no attention span or short memories.

If anything is learned from this is that it shows we as a society does not learn from history and we are doomed to repeat it yet again some day. When the republicans get control of the white house again ( and yes they will cause people allow a 2-party system where they both suck) then we will see the same people or saddly enough maybe thier kids having the same arguements.

Its like 2 siblings fighting and justifing to thier parents proclaiming the other one started. Someday hopefully people will act as thier parents and tell them both to do to thier room.

[leannabelle]

Dear RedWings_ninety_one,

While you may not have heard or read comparisons of Bush to Hitler, there are many. Here are just a few examples:

http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=612

[leannabelle]

Michelle Obama IS offensive, so it's appropriate for the first link connected to her name to also be offensive. She is an ungrateful, opportunist phony of the first order.

[Michelle5022]

Whoa Whoa...Whoa, did she harm you personally? Do you know her personally? I think not, so you should really reconsider what you say about someone you don't even know.

[vaby42]

Google had removed the image after claiming the site hosting

[jclark7613]

People often claim their right to free speech to mask blatant racism and insulting bigotry and always seem to get away with it

[ge556]

I don't have a problem with caricatures of public figures. But I have never been so revolted by a caricature as by this one. Even the ones of Obama with a bone through his nose, etc.

Glen

[Mattie567]

Exactly what hatrid does Rush or Glenn Beck spew Skyk-2009? Just because you disagree with their ideas does not make them some how bad people, unless you live in a communist or facist country where anyone who disagrees is imprisoned or executed. If you actually listened to either of them, which I am sure you have not, then you would know they just give their opinions, which are mostly right, and do not discriminate against anyone. As for Obama he is obviously an arrogant power hungry man who does not believe in this country, which has been the most successful and despite not being perfect the most benevolent and giving country of any other in the world, and he wishes to "change" it to something more like China. Look at who he has appointed, communist individuals who want to put everything, including the media (ie. free speech and opinion) under government control. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

[ewo1977]

If this were a benevolent and giving country we would not have such bile and anger spewed about helping the millions of people in need of health insurance.

[centralcacoast]

No big mystery why this country is so at odds. Reading these posts is a joke. No one is offering solutions, ideas, or any real thoughts. Just partisan politics right down the middle. The right calling the left names and making sure they know they are unimportant. The left calling the right names with the same claims. If the labels are keeping anyone from actually doing any thinking, problem solving, or working together, what do you suppose will come of us?

[violist47]

CNN says we in the U.S. are not signing the international ban on landmines. Now that is news. Horrible news, but news. This Youtube thing, while interesting, is not news!

[love2ridend]

Typical liberal double standard. Bush as a monkey OK. Bush as Hitler OK. Michelle Obama as monkey not OK. I guess I will never be a democrat since I will never be politicaly correct.

[RedWings_ninety_one]

I've never heard of Bush as Hitler, but all too often, I see comparisons between the Obama administration and the Nazi party.