4 ms·

This was my immediate response as well. My explicit content consumption is effectively nonexistent (an entirely neutral statement; I don't judge anyone else's,

by flkiwi 4y ago

This was my immediate response as well. My explicit content consumption is effectively nonexistent (an entirely neutral statement; I don't judge anyone else's, and it's just where I am in life), but it would not even occur to me to use Google for the purpose of consuming, rather than finding, this content. And I would probably stick to relatively trustworthy resources in the first place rather than wading into whatever malware-soaked options the ol' G Spot would suggest. If other people's experiences are different, I mean, that's totally cool. On the more general topic, I think I like the idea of being able to do an image search at work (where I cannot login to Google) without having an accidental goatse show up unmasked. But I also don't like private companies making editorial decisions on my behalf, so I'm torn.

knaik94 4y ago
I think there's a disconnect about why image search is useful. Google image search will link directly to websites that illegally post paid content using Keep2share links. Thumbnails from places like pornhub also show up in the results. It's also really useful if you care to consume curated content via Tumblr. Tumblr's search is hot garbage, maybe intentionally, when it comes to searching for adult topic blogs. Tumblr reblogs link back to the original poster as well as everyone who also interacted with it by liking or reblogging. Crawling and mapping those relationships is the core of search algorithms. And you won't accidentally get goatse to show up. Content is already filtered, you currently have to opt in to adult content. Safe search already defaults to strict, I don't believe you can directly change that even if you wanted to. There's been tons of complaints of people who toggle safesearch off but it makes no difference in results until you log in. If you are intentional about finding it, I am sure it will pop up. It's a toggle/warning sign not a cop. I don't expect the audience of hacker news to fall for the kind of malware you're describing. And Google is still responsible for filtering out links to literal malware, regardless of context.
- flkiwi 4y ago
  I appreciate that response. I was just sitting here wondering if this was at least partly motivated by (a) specific legal requirements in more restrictive jurisdictions and (b) anticipating anti-Big-Tech attacks from populist elements of political parties over the next few years. But! (hehe) I have absolutely been accidentally goatse'd or nippled or whatever even with SafeSearch. I have no idea if a SafeSearch that missed an explicit image would be smart enough to blur the image in question, so back to square zero.
  - knaik94 4y ago
    I just took a risk and Google image searched "goatse" and, while I can't recommend it, I didn't get the real picture even after I scrolled down a little. I got memes of sfw, maybe a little edgy, like one meme had a cup of peanut butter handle at an angle that could pass for the real thing at a glance, but it's filtered. And I am logged in with safe search completely disabled. It's basically the same results I get in an incognite window. SafeSearch filters are going to be even more aggressive now, you don't have to worry. I have a feeling it's pre-emptive to avoid further regulation. The EU, most recently France, has been pushing really hard or already implemented a "porn passport" system where your ability to see mature content requires id. I just came across news that Louisiana has a new law as of a couple weeks ago that requires users verify their age using a digital drivers id app. That app is managed by a private company, not the government directly. I can't imagine a search engine like Google would intentionally make its own search worse. Adult content is huge in terms of traffic generated. https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/03/you-must-now-verify-your-drivers-license-to-watch-pornhub-in-louisiana/ https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/03/you-must-now-verify-your-d...
    - prepend 4y ago
      I think Google purged itself of goatse picks. A plus for not showing gross stuff, but a negative for removing an early internet meme. It’s funny that derived memes still exist even though the original is unavailable.

by flkiwi 4y ago

knaik94 4y ago

I think there's a disconnect about why image search is useful. Google image search will link directly to websites that illegally post paid content using Keep2share links. Thumbnails from places like pornhub also show up in the results. It's also really useful if you care to consume curated content via Tumblr. Tumblr's search is hot garbage, maybe intentionally, when it comes to searching for adult topic blogs. Tumblr reblogs link back to the original poster as well as everyone who also interacted with it by liking or reblogging. Crawling and mapping those relationships is the core of search algorithms. And you won't accidentally get goatse to show up. Content is already filtered, you currently have to opt in to adult content. Safe search already defaults to strict, I don't believe you can directly change that even if you wanted to. There's been tons of complaints of people who toggle safesearch off but it makes no difference in results until you log in. If you are intentional about finding it, I am sure it will pop up. It's a toggle/warning sign not a cop. I don't expect the audience of hacker news to fall for the kind of malware you're describing. And Google is still responsible for filtering out links to literal malware, regardless of context.

flkiwi 4y ago
I appreciate that response. I was just sitting here wondering if this was at least partly motivated by (a) specific legal requirements in more restrictive jurisdictions and (b) anticipating anti-Big-Tech attacks from populist elements of political parties over the next few years. But! (hehe) I have absolutely been accidentally goatse'd or nippled or whatever even with SafeSearch. I have no idea if a SafeSearch that missed an explicit image would be smart enough to blur the image in question, so back to square zero.
- knaik94 4y ago
  I just took a risk and Google image searched "goatse" and, while I can't recommend it, I didn't get the real picture even after I scrolled down a little. I got memes of sfw, maybe a little edgy, like one meme had a cup of peanut butter handle at an angle that could pass for the real thing at a glance, but it's filtered. And I am logged in with safe search completely disabled. It's basically the same results I get in an incognite window. SafeSearch filters are going to be even more aggressive now, you don't have to worry. I have a feeling it's pre-emptive to avoid further regulation. The EU, most recently France, has been pushing really hard or already implemented a "porn passport" system where your ability to see mature content requires id. I just came across news that Louisiana has a new law as of a couple weeks ago that requires users verify their age using a digital drivers id app. That app is managed by a private company, not the government directly. I can't imagine a search engine like Google would intentionally make its own search worse. Adult content is huge in terms of traffic generated. https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/03/you-must-now-verify-your-drivers-license-to-watch-pornhub-in-louisiana/ https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/03/you-must-now-verify-your-d...
  - prepend 4y ago
    I think Google purged itself of goatse picks. A plus for not showing gross stuff, but a negative for removing an early internet meme. It’s funny that derived memes still exist even though the original is unavailable.