Even though Google strives to improve accuracy and reliability, misleading information on the internet and under its search engine remains a problem. However, in a new venture to deal with this and improve user experience, the giant has announced the launch of Google Perspective and About this author in search results, while also making improvements in its current tools including the already available About this result.
Perspectives or observations are subjective interpretations that may differ in all possible prompts and scenarios. That being the case, Google announced that it is adding “Perspective” to its search engine. Perspective is a carousel that would appear below the Top Stories section, and would display “insights from a range of journalists, experts, and other relevant voices on the topic you’re searching for,” reads the blog post. The rationale behind this is that it will broaden the understanding of a topic the user searches for. This expansion will provide users with a more comprehensive understanding of their search results, regardless of their language preference. Stay tuned for updates on when this feature will be available in your language!
In 2021, Google introduced the “About this result” feature, initially only available in English. However, with About this author, this feature is now rolled out globally and will soon be available in all languages supported by Search. When using Google, all users will notice three dots’ icons located next to the search results. By tapping on these icons, users can access detailed information about the source of the information and how Google’s system determined it to be relevant to the query. This feature provides valuable insights into the search results and helps users make informed decisions about the information they choose to trust. This is launching on Search results in English globally and on the Perspectives carousel in the U.S. in English.
Moreover, Google also announced easy access to the “About this page”. This feature enables users to type the URL of any particular organization. Information from the website appears on About this page at the top of the search results. This feature displays to the user how the organization’s own website describes itself and at the same time what the views and descriptions of the same are from other websites as well as any recent news surrounding the organization. This makes it easier for users to analyze and decide whether or not they want to continue to the organization’s website. This feature is now available globally in English.
Last year, Google introduced advisories that notify the system when it lacks confidence in the quality of search results. This is due to the absence of reliable and sufficient information, which creates information gaps. By acknowledging the limitations of its search algorithms, Google is taking a proactive approach in expanding the advisories to languages including German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese over time. This does not mean the user would not be able to see the results in the presence of advisory. They only serve as a warning to users that the information they are seeking may not be entirely reliable.
Finally, Google also updated about its $13.2 million grant to the International Fact-Checking Network to launch a new Global Fact Check Fund announced last year. The fund is aimed to support more than 130 fact-checking organizations from 65 countries and covers over 80 languages.
As posted by Google in the blog post, “International Fact-Checking Day on April 2 is a call to action – because in this day and age, nearly everyone has found themselves needing to put on their own fact-checking hat to verify a claim or check a source.” This demonstrates the company’s commitment to providing users with the most relevant and credible information available.
As technology continues to evolve, it is essential that companies like Google remain vigilant. Google Perspective and About this Author in Search Results is a step in their efforts to combat misinformation and provide users with the best possible search experience.
Source: Google Blog
