2022 NC LIVE Annual Conference

Many library users believe when they use a search engine, they are always getting factual, unbiased, and objective results. But search engines and the algorithms that power them are not neutral. In this session, we will explore some of the racial and gender biases found in search, and how these biases impact search results. By examining the idea of search neutrality, we’ll gain a better understanding of how human beings influence, for better or worse, the creation and ongoing maintenance of search algorithms. Through examining bias in search, we can help our patrons improve their search and online information literacy.