Conspiracy Theory About Google And Coronavirus Spreading Online
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Listen, I LOVE a good conspiracy theory. Who doesn’t? However, I prefer my conspiracy theories not actually cause people to get sick and die. It’s just how I roll.
Which is why one of the latest conspiracy theories to go viral online about Google and the coronavirus is not really my cup of tea. Nor should it be yours.
Apparently it may have began with an article by Jim Hoft on far-right website Gateway Pundit in which he stated, “Google continues to push the coronavirus panic-p*rn by pushing headlines to their users. Now imagine what they are doing to President Trump or prominent conservatives every day!”
Here’s how it works: search for “any three digit number” then the phrase “new cases.”
Search any three digit number + 'new cases.' Wild
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) June 22, 2020
No it’s a big Scam. Search any three digit number “new cases” as in 666 new cases or 123 new cases. Try two and single numbers as 11 new cases or 7 new cases.
— Eric Welch (@elsfane) June 23, 2020
I dare you to search any three digit number and “new cases” and read those headlines
— Ryan Shaw (@ryvill21) June 23, 2020
Even always level-headed former NFL running back Larry Johnson is buying into it. (Which should be the only red flag you need to know how idiotic it is.)
Trump is going to continue his campaign rally through 2 state’s (Florida, Arizona) that are currently seeing an uptick in COVID cases? 🤔
Do the research yourself. Type any 3 digit number, type new cases, hit search, repeat using any number you want. pic.twitter.com/6qrf7RNVPE
— Larry Johnson (@2LarryJohnson7) June 23, 2020
Rather than joining that club, perhaps everyone should realize that since there are any number of new cases per day in a majority of the cities/states in America that when doing a search for anything related to “new cases” it’s only logical stories about the coronavirus are at the top of the list. Maybe.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Public Search Liaison, pointed out (accurately) on Monday, “If you search for words or figures, we try to show pages that have those words & figures. With 100,000s of pages from 1,000s of agencies with daily stat updates on COVID-19, you can search for most anything & get a match. Also works potato chips & no doubt many more terms.”
If you search for words or figures, we try to show pages that have those words & figures. With 100,000s of pages from 1,000s of agencies with daily stat updates on COVID-19, you can search for most anything & get a match. Also works potato chips & no doubt many more terms. pic.twitter.com/0dzT6VL09H
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) June 22, 2020
Here you can see it happening for a different type of "cases," that is, suitcases. There are trillions of pages on the web with trillions more words and figures. It's not hard to find matching pages for many different terms and figures. pic.twitter.com/my5FkO7kFN
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) June 22, 2020
There’s also this from over a month ago…
Google's Danny Sullivan announced that the search engine will be showing more COVID-19 local news content to meet the massive demand. https://t.co/i3rOwVOijf
— Edgy Labs (@edgydotapp) May 6, 2020
But yeah… these folks are totally on to something here.
Can anyone from #InfoSec twitter explain why if you go to Google and search any three digit number + new cases and unlimited results are given? #InfoSecWorld #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/NFlcYZhH7k
— Wolfie (@WolfeCache) June 23, 2020
Freaky how Google is manipulating search results to
fuel the COVID shamdemic.Enter ANY three digit number
on Google followed by "new cases".
It will show a COVID panic-porn headline
at the top of the list.Sometimes several!https://t.co/nSMlVJHfea via @gatewaypundit
— Neville Raymond (@epochchanger) June 23, 2020
HEY EVERYONE!
Go on google, type ANY three digit number and “new cases”
*hit search*
Welcome to the Matrix.
— 𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶𝔧𝔞𝔫𝔢 (@nodramalilmama7) June 22, 2020
You think the Corona wasn't a hoax?
Think again!
Try this!
Search any three digit number + 'new cases.' Wild
We have all been played!
— 🇺🇸 Peace through Strength (@GeneralDefense) June 22, 2020
Gloss