Source: Dumb Little Man
In 2004, after being shot by an unknown assailant, one Australian man encountered some disturbing information from Google search results. Revealed in image searches and even filled in by Google’s autocomplete searches was his own name, linked with the names of local criminals, mobsters to be exact.
This false information nearly cost him his very life. Yet, it was still plastered over the front page of Google search results begging the question – if it’s on Google, does it even matter if it’s true or not?
Do You Know What Google Says About You?
Today, Google handles over 3.5 billion searches every day, a portion of which is simply folks searching for their own names. Millennials lead many previous generations in self-searches for reasons ranging from satisfying their curiosity to damage control.
Among Gen Zers, the younger post-millennial generation, more than one in ten even do so daily. Personal name inquiries to Google aren’t just a young person’s game, however; even boomers aren’t immune to the temptation.
Among the generations:
- 48% of Gen Zers have Googled themselves
- 57% of Millennials
- 45% of Gen Xers
- 37% of Boomers
In Googling oneself, many people aren’t too happy with what they find, be it true information or otherwise. In fact, only one in five people who self-search actually find relevant and accurate information about themselves, most of it either outdated or in reference to a different person with the same name.
Common outcomes include:
- 33% are influenced by people with the same name
- 20% find inaccurate, outdated information
- 12% are unpleasantly surprised by search results
- 8% find embarrassing or even potentially damaging information
What Does Incorrect Or Harmful Information Mean To You?
Though accounting for one very extreme case,…
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