Google for information about an owl found only in Australia.

First result, a blog claiming: “Ninox strenua is important to the Native Americans of the US”

Every single result is website that all have the same layout.

  • Kereru [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    10·
    3 days ago

    Vector search tech that all search engines rely on so heavily flattens everything to the lowest common denominator.

    You’re asking about Australian owls but from the usa? “You want information that relates aus owls to the usa, trust me bro.”

    • Orcocracy [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
      14·
      3 days ago

      Google generally privileges US-based sources and has always been shit at searching for some topics outside of the US. For example, if you want to search for where a TV show is streaming, Google for years has given results pointing to bullshit like Hulu or Peac*ck or other platforms that are only available in the US. To give a more rigorous example, this study focused on art ( https://academic.oup.com/dsh/article-abstract/36/3/607/6042086 ) also shows how Google is heavily biased towards US-based artworks and galleries.

      Google is and always has been an instrument of American (cultural) imperialism.