Google Explains Why Some Image Search Results Look Racist

Jan 3, 2019 - 8:09 am 171 by
Filed Under Google

Couple

Someone pointed out to Google's Danny Sullivan that searching Google Image search for [white couples] vs [black couples] shows racist bias by Google. Danny Sullivan explained why the results were not racist on Twitter.

First, look at the differences between the two search results.

[white couples]:

click for full size

[black couples]:

click for full size

You can see while the black couples search results show just black couples, the white couples shows interracial couples.

Danny explained "As it turns out, when people post images of white couples, they tend to say only "couples" & not provide a race. But when there are mixed couples, then "white" gets mentioned. Our image search depends on heavily words -- so when we don't get the words, this can happen."

Maybe Google has to learn how to be more sensitive to people? Or will that cause more bias?

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up May 29th

May 29, 2025 - 7:55 am
Google Maps

Google Updates When Local Questions & Answers Display

May 29, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google: Ads Can Show Above/Below or Within AI Overviews But Not Both At Same Time

May 29, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Ads To Allow Melatonin Ads Beyond US & Canada

May 29, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google

Google Search Results Light Background Shadow Color On Hover

May 29, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Bing: We Ignore Default Robots Directives If There Is A Bingbot Section