| The offensive Michell Obama picture has been | | | | Internet can include disturbing content, even from |
| characterized as a racist caricature of the first | | | | innocuous queries. We assure you that the views |
| lady of the US in the top results,and occasioned a | | | | expressed by such sites are not in any way |
| good deal of talk at the same time. It has | | | | endorsed by Google. |
| reportedly been removed from the website, Hot | | | | Search engines are a reflection of the content |
| Girls, that posted the image. | | | | and information that is available on the Internet. A |
| The Hot Girls blog posted a short explanation in | | | | site’s ranking in Google’s search results |
| Chinese, along with a loosely translated apology in | | | | relies heavily on computer algorithms using |
| English, explaining, "I am very sorry for this article, | | | | thousands of factors to calculate a page’s |
| and that this is the program automatically issued a | | | | relevance to a given query. |
| document from the article. Do not the subject of | | | | The beliefs and preferences of those who work |
| race and politics make the discussion too radical | | | | at Google, as well as the opinions of the general |
| and sincere hope that the world is very peaceful." | | | | public, do not determine or impact our search |
| The Guardian also reported that the site took | | | | results. Individual citizens and public interest groups |
| down the offensive image of Michelle Obama. | | | | do periodically urge us to remove particular links |
| Google has purchased online ads in an effort to | | | | or otherwise adjust search results. Although |
| explain to users why an offensive image of | | | | Google reserves the right to address such |
| Michelle Obama is appearing, and is ranked so | | | | requests individually, Google views the integrity of |
| highly, in its Google Image search results. | | | | our search results as an extremely important |
| The Google ad, titled "Offensive Search Results," | | | | priority. Accordingly, we do not remove a page |
| appears directly over the pictures of the First | | | | from our search results simply because its |
| Lady that show up when users perform a Google | | | | content is unpopular or because we receive |
| Image search for "Michelle Obama." The picture is | | | | complaints concerning it. We will, however, |
| as follow: | | | | remove pages from our results if we believe the |
| | | | page (or its site) violates our Webmaster |
| In short, while Google apologizes for upsetting | | | | Guidelines, if we believe we are required to do so |
| searchers, it’s standing by the algorithm. At | | | | by law, or at the request of the webmaster who |
| the same time, Google defends defend | | | | is responsible for the page. |
| themselves by Democracy on the web works. | | | | We apologize if you’ve had an upsetting |
| The full text of the statement reads: | | | | experience using Google. We hope you understand |
| | | | | our position regarding offensive results. |
| “Sometimes Google search results from the | | | | |