Google Autocomplete search predictions

Featured on Google Search and YouTube, Autocomplete is an AI-based system designed to help users complete searches faster and more accurately by predicting keywords and phrases based on what other people look for.

Autocomplete started as an experimental feature in 2004, and was publicly released in 2008 as Google Suggest. Google Suggest was renamed Autocomplete in 2010.

Risks and harms 🛑

Google Autocomplete search predictions can generate inaccurate, untrue, inappropriate, offensive, biased, unethical, and illegal search predictions that variously result in the manipulation of end users, religious and other forms of discrimination, emotional distress and anxiety, loss of privacy, and defamation, amongst others. 

Transparency and openness 🙈

Google has been criticised for inadequate transparency about how Autocomplete works and for claiming that it is not legally responsible for harms it may have or has caused.

Research, advocacy 🧮

• Al-Rawi, A., Celestini, C., Stewart, N., Worku, N. (2022). How Google Autocomplete Algorithms about Conspiracy Theorists Mislead the Public

• Roy S., Ayalon L. (2020). Age and Gender Stereotypes Reflected in Google's "Autocomplete" Function: The Portrayal and Possible Spread of Societal Stereotypes

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://searchengineland.com/how-google-autocomplete-works-390257

• https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-query-completions-patent/420520/

• https://www.businessinsider.com/bizarre-google-autocomplete-suggestions-2013-12

• https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2013/12/the-strange-politics-of-google-autocomplete-100808/

• https://algorithmwatch.org/en/auto-completion-disinformation/

• https://www.wired.com/story/google-autocomplete-vile-suggestions/

• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/16/google-autocomplete-rightwing-bias-algorithm-political-propaganda

• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20131106-is-google-autocomplete-evil

• https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/08/how-googles-autocomplete-was-created-invented-born/278991/