Algorithms Used in Search Engines and How They Suck Essay

Total Length: 690 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

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I was shocked to watch the TED talk by Eli Pariser on “filter bubbles.” I did not know that two people could search for the same term and receive completely different results. After watching this video, I will become more aware of how the information on the Internet is being filtered for me by digital gatekeeprs, algorithms that determine what I can and cannot see. Pariser (2011) calls them the “invisible algorithmic filters” that are in social media and on search engines. I appreciate that Pariser (2011) uses the TED forum to call directly upon those who are in control of these algorithms, asking them to take greater responsibility. The Internet is supposed to represent the ultimate freedom of information. Filter bubbles contradict that ideal. Coders and the senior managers of all technology companies do have a responsibility to give back the power of information to the people.

The only potentially positive thing about the filter bubble is that it might show me results that are relevant to my local area, or to interests I already have. Yet I might not want results that are localized. I might want to learn new things, be exposed to different concepts and ideas. The filter bubble clearly plays into the hands of marketers, who know how to reach their target audiences directly through the algorithms.

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Unfortunately, the filter bubble affects the hits I receive performing regular Google and Google Scholar searches. This means that I might not have access to all the information I need, even if that information is not scholarly in nature. To pop the filter bubble, Ashford University offers the helpful guide, “How to Pop Your Filter Bubble!” One of the first things I will do is to keep my Facebook data private so that I cannot be tracked on multiple platforms. The second thing I will do will be to delete my cookies and web history, but only after I am done researching something. The reason being, if I need to retrieve a search history, I might want that data. Third, I will start using the “do not track” option in the future.

Popping the filter bubble in all areas of online behavior is important. The filter bubble impacts what we search for in every instance, restricting the hits we see to ones that Google things are relevant rather than what we want to see. Basically,….....

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Latest APA Format (6th edition)

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"Algorithms Used In Search Engines And How They Suck" (2017, December 07) Retrieved June 4, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/algorithms-used-search-engine-suck-2166818

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

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"Algorithms Used In Search Engines And How They Suck" 07 December 2017. Web.4 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/algorithms-used-search-engine-suck-2166818>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

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"Algorithms Used In Search Engines And How They Suck", 07 December 2017, Accessed.4 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/algorithms-used-search-engine-suck-2166818