Google updated its spam policies for web search and ranking systems guidance to clarify how Google handles sites with large numbers of non-consensual explicit images and removal requests.
The changes refer to the policy that specifically mentions sites that charge for the removal of negative information, but the guidance also states that they will also demote content from other sites that engage in the same pattern of behavior.
Therefore, a report on one site may result in demotions from other sites that have similar types of exploit removal practices.
Background to Google’s policies on non-consensual explicit images
The type of images that Google is demoting sites for is sharing intimate images without the consent of the party whose image is shared publicly on a website.
Google has been removing “revenge porn” from its search index since 2015. These changes continue Google’s evolution of its spam and classification policies.
Changes to Google’s spam policies
Here are the changes to Google’s spam and demotion guidelines:
Original text:
“If we process a large volume of personal information removals involving a site with exploitative removal practices, we drop other content from the site into our results.
We also look to see if the same pattern of behavior is happening with other sites, and if so, we apply demotions to the content on those sites.
We may apply similar demotion practices to sites that receive a high volume of doxxing removals.
In addition, we have automatic protections designed to prevent non-consensual explicit personal images from ranking high in response to name-related queries.”
This was added:
“non-consensual explicit image removals or deletions.”
The new version now reads (emphasis on additional words):
“If we process a large volume of personal information removals involving a site with exploitative removal practices, we drop other content from the site into our results.
We also look to see if the same pattern of behavior is happening with other sites, and if so, we apply demotions to the content on those sites.
We may apply similar demotion practices to sites that receive a high volume of doxxing or non-consensual explicit image removals.”
Some may be interested in the removal of a reference to automatic systems for removing this type of content.
Here’s what was removed:
“Additionally, we have automatic protections designed to prevent non-consensual explicit personal images from ranking high in response to name queries.”
Why did Google remove this passage?
Is it because too much has been said or because the system no longer exists? Or was it removed because it was redundant with the part that already mentions the descents?
I think it’s the latter, which was removed because it was redundant.
Updated the search ranking systems guide
A similar edit was made to Google’s Guide to Search Ranking Systems where the same phrase about “automatic protections” was removed entirely, possibly because it was redundant.
But new wording was added to the last sentence detailing what would trigger a removal download from Google search results.
The additional reason for the demotion is sites that experience a high level of “non-consensual explicit image removal” requests.
The updated passage, with the section on “automatic systems” removed, now reads:
“Deletion of personal information: If we process a large volume of personal information deletions involving a site with exploitative deletion practices, we drop other content from the site into our results. We also look for the same pattern of behavior is happening with other sites, and if so, we apply demotions to content on those sites. We may apply similar demotion practices to sites that receive a high volume of doxxing content removals or non-consensual explicit image removals” .
Read Google’s updated spam policies:
Spam Policies for Google Web Search
A guide to Google Search’s ranking systems
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