Newsletter
Google Search is getting a “highly cited” label on the Top stories section, allowing readers to understand the origins of news articles. The search giant will also provide other relevant information to the readers. This “highly cited” label will appear on top of the news article’s preview image under Top stories.
Google said it would “identify stories that have been frequently cited by other news organizations” to determine which articles get the label. The changes will appear on Google Search mobile (English) in the U.S. According to Google, a global rollout will occur in the “coming weeks.”
“You will be able to find it on anything from an investigative article, to an interview, an announcement, a press release or a local news story, as long as other publishers indicate its relevance by linking to it,” Google explained in a blog post (via 9to5Google).
Google Search also gets an automatic notice feature when people search for trending topics or breaking news. This feature will let users check whether a source is reliable, “or come back later when there’s more information available.”
YouTube previously banned Russian-affiliated media organizations
Google has taken several steps over the past few years to curb the spread of misinformation. However, it hasn’t been entirely successful. Meanwhile, platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and others are also battling misinformation on their platforms.
Earlier this week, Google sent out a warning to publishers, threatening them with demonetization if they produced content that “exploits, dismisses, or condones” the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Prohibited content also includes “claims that imply victims are responsible for their own tragedy or similar instances of victim blaming, such as claims that Ukraine is committing genocide or deliberately attacking its own citizens.”
Previously, YouTube banned some Russian-affiliated organizations, citing fears of propaganda and misinformation. This came after several platforms banned these organizations from running ads. Additionally, European Union regulators have sought the removal of pro-Russia media organizations from Google Search results. Although misinformation has been rampant over the past few years, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has undoubtedly exacerbated the problem.
Google is also doing its bit to support fact-checkers on a global scale. The company is partnering with the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) at the non-profit Poynter Institute. Google said this partnership will bring “training and resources” to fact-checkers around the globe.
