What Google search suggestions reveal about popular stereotypes (warning, may be offensive)

[Mequa]

Google's search engine uses various algorithms to deliver search suggestions, based on processing the vast quantity of search queries received.

I've noticed that these search suggestions often act as a barometer of popular prejudices against various demographics of people. This can be explored by entering in search queries such as "Why are X", or "Why are X so...", or "Why do X", and seeing how the blanks are filled in.

I'm going to give an example of these below. Warning, some of these are going to be very offensive, in addition to having less than perfect grammar.

Men:
Search query: "Why are men"
Results: "Why are men jerks", "Why are men players", "Why are men so mean"

Women:
Search query: "Why are women"
Results: "Why are women so shallow", "Why are women so insecure", "Why are women so emotional", "Why are women so mean"

Boys:
Search query: "Why are boys"
"Why are boys so mean", "Why are boys so stupid", "Why are boys so confusing"

Girls:
Search query: "Why are girls"
Results: "Why are girls so moody", "Why are girls so stupid", "Why are girls so confusing", "Why are girls so cute", "Why are girls so complicated".

Christians:
Search query: "Why are Christians"
Result: "Why are Christians so mean"

Muslims:
Search query: "Why are Muslims"
Results: "Why are Muslims so angry"

Theists:
Search query: "Why are theists"
Results: "Why are theists so stupid"

Atheists:
Search query: "Why are atheist"
Results: "Why are atheists so angry", "Why are atheist so mean", "Why are atheist so arrogant", "Why are atheist so stupid", "Why are atheist so hateful" "Why are atheist so smug"

Liberals:
Search query: "Why are liberals"
Results: "Why are liberals so stupid"

Feminists:
Search query: "Why are feminist"
Results: "Why are feminist sexist", "Why are feminist so ugly", "Why are feminist so angry", "Why are feminist so annoying", "Why are feminist so stupid", "Why are feminist so rude"

Transgenders:
Search query: "Why are transgenders"
Results: "Why are transgenders so sensitive", "Why are transgenders obsessed with mermaids"

Gays:
Search query: "Why are gays"
Results: "Why are gay guys so flaky", "Why are gay guys so narcissistic", "Why are gay guys so insecure"


This is all pretty revealing stuff. I'm sure there are many more examples which could be added. Nevertheless, Google does reveal quite well the popular prejudices and stereotypes against many demographics of people.

Even God is not exempt from people's vitriol:

God:
Search query: "Why is God such"
Results: "Why is God such a prick", "Why is God such a *******", "Why is God such a jerk", "Why is God such a *********", "Why is God such a bully", "Why is God such a hypocrite".

Oh, Google...

 

[Iti oj]

I didn't get those results?

 

[Laika]

This just has me in stiches.

Search query: "Why are"
Results: "Why are Flamingos Pink", "Why are people gay", "Why are Pandas endangered", "Why are we here"

 

[Mequa]

I didn't get those results?

Those are ones I just got from UK Google (google.co.uk), the suggestions might vary internationally.

 

[Wu Wei]

US Google

Enter "why are Taoist so"

and you get; why are atheists so arrogant, why are atheists so hateful, why are atheists so intolerant, why are atheists so angry at Christians

enter Why are Daoist so and you get; "why are atheists so angry"


Apparently no one no one looks for Taoists on Google

 

[Iti oj]

US Google

Enter "why are Taoist so"

and you get; why are atheists so arrogant, why are atheists so hateful, why are atheists so intolerant, why are atheists so angry at Christians

enter Why are Daoist so and you get; "why are atheists so angry"


Apparently no one no one looks for Taoists on Google

why are hindu gods blue

 

[Koldo]

"Why are transgenders obsessed with mermaids"

What? Really?

 

[Mequa]

Probably even more offensive and unflattering are some of them relating to mental health and disability.

"Why are bipolar so".... "selfish", "mean", "blaming".
"Why are aspies so".... "rude", "annoying", "mean", "weird", "angry".
"Why are borderlines so"... "mean", "evil", "selfish", "cruel", "angry", "jealous", "insecure".
"Why are schizophrenics so"... "lazy", "selfish", "mean", "dangerous".

And that old chestnut, ethnicity, racism and national origin.

"Why are black people so"... "loud", "lazy", "rude", "mean".
"Why are Chinese so"... "cruel to animals", "rude", "loud".
"Why are the French so"... "rude", "arrogant", "miserable", "bad at war", "anti semitic", "weird".
"Why are Americans so"... "stupid", "ignorant", "rude", "loud".
"Why are the English so"... "reserved", "cold", "stuck up", "rude", "aggressive", "annoying", "unfriendly", "miserable".

Entering "Why are white people so".... yields: "Why are white people so racists". I love the grammar on that one.

 

[Mequa]

US Google

Enter "why are Taoist so"

and you get; why are atheists so arrogant, why are atheists so hateful, why are atheists so intolerant, why are atheists so angry at Christians

enter Why are Daoist so and you get; "why are atheists so angry"


Apparently no one no one looks for Taoists on Google

Apparently Google's algorithms have decided to treat "Taoist" as a synonym for "atheist". How odd.

I've seen similar "howlers" in a recent update to Google Chrome, which now automatically organises bookmarks by category, again using automated algorithms. All my bookmarks relating to Epicurus and Epicureanism were filed under "Stoicism".

That's rather like filing pages relating to Taoism under "Confucianism".

 

[Wu Wei]

OK, what about Buddhists

"Why are Buddhist so" gets nothing at all, but "Why are Buddhist"; monks bald, bald, monks celibate, robes orange


Apparently Google likes Buddhists

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Why are Australians so...
Hot
Good-looking
Laid-back
Rude
Good at Swimming
Racist
Arrogant
Annoying

Apart from the Arrogant one, the Racist one, and the Annoying one, these move beyond stereotypes, and become facts.

 

[Mequa]

Apparently Google likes Buddhists

Scientologists are less lucky.

"Why are Scientologists so"... "stupid", "crazy", "weird".

Mormons do better though.

"Why are Mormons so"... "nice", "hot".

 

[Wu Wei]

"why do Sikhs" wear turbans

"why do Shintoists" worship objects in nature

"why do Pagans"; celebrate Easter, hate St Patrick, Wear black, say belssed be

"why did Confucius"; create his philosophy, die, become a teacher, think it was important

"why are Confucius" teachings important

 

[Jumi]

Why are Finns... so weird?

Why are Atheist ... countries more peaceful?
... so mean?

 

[Tumah]

Apparently I am hanging out with the wrong Jews. Top five on Google:

Why are Jews so smart?
Why are Jews so successful?
Why are Jews so rich?
Why are Jews so rude?
Why are Jews persecuted?

Thankfully, quality Chinese education plovide answel fol many of these question.

 

[Stevicus]

This is all pretty revealing stuff. I'm sure there are many more examples which could be added. Nevertheless, Google does reveal quite well the popular prejudices and stereotypes against many demographics of people.

What I noticed is that each of the groups mentioned seem to be perceived as "mean," "angry," "rude," but it was common to everyone across the board. I guess we're saying as much about our own culture as anything else. We live in a mean and rude society. It doesn't matter what demographic one is part of. That doesn't mean that everybody is mean, but it seems to be an integral part of our culture.