Paid healthcare.gov site advertisement (sometimes) when googling obamacare

[her209]

Google search results are not static, they change. It's possible to get difference search results for the same thing over a span of 24 hours. I'm surprised that you didn't know this.

And I already stated my position, reading is fundamental.

Ahhh keep insisting on something without any proof. Have you considered the possibility that the search results were the same, i.e. the heathcare website was never on top, for Jan 3 and Jan 4?

But hey, if its an ad, then it should always appear first, right?

 

[Fear No Evil]

I'm not sure I like the idea of Dr. Pizza determining fact/truth of political posts and modifying them to fit his beliefs. As others have said, search results change by the minute and I don't see how Dr. Pizza's investigation has proved ANYTHING let alone warranted modifying the OP's topic. He should have posted in the thread debunking it if he thought he had some proof.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Yes, that's my point. I was surprised that people on a tech forum didn't know more about technology than fox news. People like her202 STILL think that google search results can't change over 24 hours.

Here is what I think happened. The article was talking about the ad, not the actual search results, which he mentions in the update with regards to the ad showing up in yahoo and bing. The person that wrote the article is obviously too stupid to actually get a screenshot of the search result showing up for him, which any competent person would do when making such a claim. Like I said, poor journalism and completely misunderstanding the way google works.

My issue is with people calling the OP a liar and even going so far as to change the thread title because they get different google search results an entire day after the article was written. Again, misunderstanding the way google works.

I agree. Besides calling the OP a liar is nonsense anyway for he did not make the claim, he presented the fox news item. Forgot to mention that you copied my post after i removed errors and clarified it.

 

[IBMer]

I agree. Besides calling the OP a liar is nonsense anyway for he did not make the claim, he presented the fox news item. Forgot to mention that you copied my post after i removed errors and clarified it.

Actually the OP Title made a claim that wasn't true. The search results were never altered. Google doesn't alter search results for money. It only adds in Ads at the top of the search page.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Actually the OP Title made a claim that wasn't true. The search results were never altered. Google doesn't alter search results for money. It only adds in Ads at the top of the search page.

Indeed. I reread the post and sure gives the impression that boomerang thinks Obama is evil. Obama just trying to make everybody happy. Besides, i really think Obama is the kind of person who gets hungry outside but comes home for food. A family man.

 

[boomerang]

The article I linked to and quoted (prior to it being updated by the author) understandably hit some nerves. It's a condemnation of the administration of course and it brings to the forefront the health care bill, a bill which a newly seated House has designated as it's first priority to unravel. It comes as no surprise to me that it became an issue here to dismiss the article.

Thread titles have been edited here before by the powers that be. It's a rare occurrence and has sometimes been handled in the past by locking the thread with a note by a mod in the first post stating that the title needed to be changed with a PM sent to the OP stating why the title should be changed and that the thread would be unlocked if that was done. This was not done in this case. It's important to remember that this is their party and they can run it whatever way they wish. In my opinion a careful reading of the thread will lead one to understand that DrPizza acted on orders from above. Directing derision against him for doing so is misguided - once again, in my opinion.

Having gotten that out of the way guys and gals, remember that this is an internet forum. We're not going to solve any problems or issues here and any one who's hung out here for any time knows that no opinions are going to be swayed. I consider this forum an amusement. It's a sub-forum where I can let it all hang out. I do so on a regular basis. I want to express a real sincere thanks to all that defended me, the thread and the article. I truly mean that.

 

[William Gaatjes]

The article I linked to and quoted (prior to it being updated by the author) understandably hit some nerves. It's a condemnation of the administration of course and it brings to the forefront the health care bill, a bill which a newly seated House has designated as it's first priority to unravel. It comes as no surprise to me that it became an issue here to dismiss the article.

Thread titles have been edited here before by the powers that be. It's a rare occurrence and has sometimes been handled in the past by locking the thread with a note by a mod in the first post stating that the title needed to be changed with a PM sent to the OP stating why the title should be changed and that the thread would be unlocked if that was done. This was not done in this case. It's important to remember that this is their party and they can run it whatever way they wish. In my opinion a careful reading of the thread will lead one to understand that DrPizza acted on orders from above. Directing derision against him for doing so is misguided - once again, in my opinion.

Having gotten that out of the way guys and gals, remember that this is an internet forum. We're not going to solve any problems or issues here and any one who's hung out here for any time knows that no opinions are going to be swayed. I consider this forum an amusement. It's a sub-forum where I can let it all hang out. I do so on a regular basis. I want to express a real sincere thanks to all that defended me, the thread and the article. I truly mean that.

You listen to much to Alex Jones. I really doubt DrPizza would go that far or that he receiced orders to do so. Especially since a simple reading of the thread makes it clear that what is stated in the news item is simply not the case. I can imagine that ads are placed, but i doubt google would need to change the search machine.

 

[boomerang]

Some clarification for those who didn't read the article or whose reading comprehension needs some assistance.

This is not a Foxnews article.

The original title of the thread was the title of the article. I didn't make the title up and this fact was pointed out earlier in the thread.

And just to clear the air, yes, I think Obama is evil. Anyone that took the time to research his history would reach a similar conclusion. He was not raised nor groomed to embrace the values of our country.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Some clarification for those who didn't read the article or whose reading comprehension needs some assistance.

This is not a Foxnews article.

The original title of the thread was the title of the article. I didn't make the title up and this fact was pointed out earlier in the thread.

And just to clear the air, yes, I think Obama is evil. Anyone that took the time to research his history would reach a similar conclusion. He was not raised nor groomed to embrace the values of our country.

That raises for me the question, what are the values of "our country" ?
Can you write them out for me please ?

 

[Red Dawn]

I think Obama is evil. Anyone that took the time to research his history would reach a similar conclusion. He was not raised nor groomed to embrace the values of our country.

According to you

 

[ProfJohn]

I just typed 'obamacare' into Safari's google toolbar and the first result was healthcare.gov.

Can we change the title back now.

Mods shouldn't be the arbitrators of the truth and shouldn't change thread titles unless something is egregiously wrong.



Wrong forum dude


Anandtech Admin
Red Dawn

 

[jhbball]

Some clarification for those who didn't read the article or whose reading comprehension needs some assistance.

This is not a Foxnews article.

The original title of the thread was the title of the article. I didn't make the title up and this fact was pointed out earlier in the thread.

And just to clear the air, yes, I think Obama is evil. Anyone that took the time to research his history would reach a similar conclusion. He was not raised nor groomed to embrace the values of our country.

idiot.

 

[IBMer]

I just typed 'obamacare' into Safari's google toolbar and the first result was healthcare.gov.

Can we change the title back now.

Mods shouldn't be the arbitrators of the truth and shouldn't change thread titles unless something is egregiously wrong.

Really because it isn't for me, maybe you are typing in "Obamacare healthcare.gov".

Probably should learn to read though, because that big blue block at the top has the word "Ads" next to it.

 

[JD50]

Ahhh keep insisting on something without any proof. Have you considered the possibility that the search results were the same, i.e. the heathcare website was never on top, for Jan 3 and Jan 4?

But hey, if its an ad, then it should always appear first, right?

Nice back peddling.

I never said that article was correct, I said that a screenshot of google search results on Jan. 4 doesn't prove anything when talking about google search results on Jan. 3. In fact, I've said that several times now. You either can't read or don't understand how google search works. Maybe both.

 

[William Gaatjes]

I just typed 'obamacare' into Safari's google toolbar and the first result was healthcare.gov.

Can we change the title back now.

Mods shouldn't be the arbitrators of the truth and shouldn't change thread titles unless something is egregiously wrong.



Wrong forum dude


Anandtech Admin
Red Dawn

i tried bing and it did not result into healthcare.gov. :biggrin:

 

[ProfJohn]

Really because it isn't for me, maybe you are typing in "Obamacare healthcare.gov".

Probably should learn to read though, because that big blue block at the top has the word "Ads" next to it.

Isn't that the point??

The government is paying to have ads show up at the top of the search of 'obamacare' and thus trying to steer public opinion on the topic.

 

[ProfJohn]

Screen shot.

Looks like the original title and article is right.

 

[CitizenKain]

Some clarification for those who didn't read the article or whose reading comprehension needs some assistance.

This is not a Foxnews article.

The original title of the thread was the title of the article. I didn't make the title up and this fact was pointed out earlier in the thread.

And just to clear the air, yes, I think Obama is evil. Anyone that took the time to research his history would reach a similar conclusion. He was not raised nor groomed to embrace the values of our country.

What values are these? I'm guessing your values say he was uppity and shouldn't have ran against his betters, is that it?

 

[William Gaatjes]

Screen shot.

Looks like the original title and article is right.

I assume you took it just now ?

EDIT:

I tried with my browser masking as Opera, Internet explorer and Fireworks, similar page as i posted.

Relaxed firewall settings for a second to allow more information to pass to google.
I got another number 1 result.
WOOPS same result as i had earlier but with extra pictures. ATforum did not recognize me anymore either and i had to log in again .



But not what you specify.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Your third result is my first result.

The David Frum part of the national post. But i am not in the US.

I agree with JD50.

Second try :

Third try after 1 minute :

Or i can go into paranoid mode and claim that google is specially for me changing the results.

 

[IBMer]

Screen shot.

Looks like the original title and article is right.

Apparently your colorblind or don't see the big blue box at the top that says "Ads". This would not be a search result. Its well, get this... an Ad.

As for people saying the article isn't fabricating.

Try typing "Obamacare" into Google, and you'll find that the first entry is now the Obama administration's www.healthcare.gov

Its not the first entry, the Wikipedia article is.

You'll get the same paid-for result if you type in "Obamacare facts," "Obamacare summary," "Obamacare info," "Obamacare overview," "Obamacare questions," "Obamacare explanation," "Obamacare basics," "Obamacare pros and cons," "Obamacare and elderly," and even "Obamacare and abortion." For each of these search terms, and many others, the Obama administration's site comes up first, as a paid entry. But it doesn’t come up if you type in "ObamaCare repeal."

Again its not an entry at all, its an ad.

HHS is Paying Google with Taxpayer Money to Alter 'Obamacare' Search Results (Updated)

The title of the article. It doesn't alter search results at all, they bought ad space on google.

Using taxpayers' money to alter the results of search engines and to control the flow of information is disturbing on multiple levels. It's particularly disturbing when it's done to promote a massive expansion of government power, like Obamacare. And one wonders how – or if – it's even legal.

Again not true, as it doesn't alter search results at all.

Do I have to keep going?

 

[William Gaatjes]

Afcourse i understand what you say. I am mixing up the ads and the results, sorry. I just do not get the ads. Even after relaxing my firewall settings. But it can be that since this ad is not handy for the EU, it does not show up. That makes sense for me. Time for a break.

 

[ProfJohn]

Afcourse i understand what you say. I am mixing up the ads and the results, sorry. I just do not get the ads. Even after relaxing my firewall settings. But it can be that since this ad is not handy for the EU, it does not show up. That makes sense for me. Time for a break.

If you are in the EU you shouldn't be getting the ads.

I would assume that the ads are tailored by region etc etc.

 

[William Gaatjes]

If you are in the EU you shouldn't be getting the ads.

I would assume that the ads are tailored by region etc etc.

I expect this as well.

 

[ProfJohn]

IBMer the ad is the first result!!!!

Type in Obamacare and the first thing you get is 'heathcare.gov'

The article does NOT say that the first search result is healthcare is just says that the first result is 'heathcare.gov'

Sure it might be in a blue box and it might say 'ad' but many people won't notice that and will just click on the first link.

And more importantly is the fact that our government is spending tax payer dollars to support a healthcare plan that most Americans object too.

Type in 'welfare' or 'food stamps' or 'medicare' or 'medicaid' or 'social security' and notice that NONE of them start with an ad run for and paid for by the government.