It’s not Google’s fault that hate sells

The Internet’s leading search engine — and one of the English language’s newest verbs — is… The Internet’s leading search engine — and one of the English language’s newest verbs — is embroiled in controversy over offensive search results.

Google “Jew” and the top search result is a Web site called Jewwatch.com, a clearinghouse of anti-Semitic information and links. Despite pressure from advocacy groups to remove the site from its listings, Google is not changing the results.

The only time Google changes its search results is when the sites advocate illegal actions, such as pedophilia, as in the case of a site called “Chester’s guide to molesting young girls,” which came up second on searches on the English city of Chester.

Google works by implementing complex algorithms based on the number and quality of links to a given site — the sites with the best and most other links on the Web rank highest in the listings. Asking Google to remove this particular site — odious as it may be — is unfair and wrongheaded.

If Google removes the site from the listings, it will set a dangerous precedent based on advocacy rather than relying on its consistent, mathematical criteria. Every Web site has an equal and fair chance to get listed high on Google — each site can improve its content and visibility in its own way. This should inspire Jewish-positive sites to double their efforts to spread their messages by having more sites link to theirs.

No one — no one sane, anyhow — is disputing that the site is hateful and wrong. However, we live in a society based upon certain freedoms; among them is the freedom of speech. The site is terrible, but Google is performing its function perfectly by ranking it first — the site gets hits and is linked to. Google’s job is to rank the Web, not perform judgment calls upon its content.

Depending upon how the matter is considered, it is a good thing that Jewwatch.com is first — it draws attention to how pervasive such disgusting sentiments are, and could have a galvanizing effect on those who would change that fact.

Google is the leading search engine because it is consistent. The results are reliable and without bias. The search engine is beyond reproach in this unfortunate situation.

Anyone with an objection needs to understand who is to blame. Google isn’t responsible for anti-Semitism. No one who isn’t already anti-Semitic will be swayed into hating Jews just because Google’s first option is Jewwatch.com.