Is Google Biased? Let’s Break It Down

People love to throw around claims that Google search results are politically biased, leaning left, or favouring one candidate over another. In the 2024 Harris-Trump election, this wasn’t just an idea—it became a heated debate.

Here’s what we know:

The Hunter Biden Laptop Story: Back in 2020, during the Biden-Trump election, the Hunter Biden laptop story was suppressed by big platforms. Google was accused of making it hard to find, while other platforms outright blocked it. The kicker? Post-election polls showed many voters would’ve changed their votes had they known about it earlier.

Alexa and Siri’s “Bias”: Fast forward to 2024, people noticed Alexa and Siri had some questionable answers. Ask, “Why should I vote for Kamala Harris?” and you’d get a detailed, positive answer. Ask the same about Donald Trump? Crickets—or worse, “I can’t answer that.”

Why Does This Matter?

Search engines and AI tools like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant aren’t just fancy tech. They’re where people turn for information—and, during elections, they have real power to sway opinions.

For instance:

• Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump: Google results for Harris showcased her achievements and policies. Trump’s results, however, leaned into controversies.
• Stats Matter: A 2016 study by Dr Robert Epstein showed biased search results could swing undecided voters by as much as 20%.

But is this bias intentional? Let’s dive deeper.

Is Google Really Picking Sides?

Why It Feels Biased?

Google’s algorithm rewards websites that:

• Have strong backlinks.
• Are deemed authoritative (hello, mainstream media!).
• Create consistent, fresh content.

If left-leaning media dominates these metrics, their content naturally outranks others. It’s not necessarily deliberate—it’s just how the system is built.

But here’s where it gets tricky:

AI Overviews: Google’s new AI tools summarise content based on “consensus.” This means the most agreed-upon narratives rise to the top. If those narratives lean left, well, you see the problem.

So, What’s the Deal?

Google denies any intentional bias. And honestly, rigging an algorithm to favour one side would be ridiculously hard to pull off consistently. Think about it—there are over 200 factors that go into ranking content. Tweaking one for politics could wreck everything else.

But here’s the thing:

• Algorithms Aren’t Perfect: Bias cn creep in from the data itself. If more left-leaning sources exist, Google’s algorithms will favour them.
• AI Assistants Have Similar Issues: Alexa and Siri pull answers from sources deemed “trusted.” If those trusted sources lean one way, their answers will too.

Why It Matters for Australian Politics

With Australia heading into a major election year in 2025, this concern hits closer to home. What if Australians searching for information about Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton encounter a skewed narrative? Or worse, what if emerging political players don’t even make it to the first page?

The stakes are high. Trust in democratic processes depends on unbiased access to information. For businesses, political parties, and individuals, this is a wake-up call: the way information is ranked, displayed, and accessed shapes how we think, vote, and act.

Stay informed and critically evaluate what you see online—because the next election won’t just be fought in parliament; it will be fought on your screens.

Why This Matters to You

Whether you’re a voter or a business owner, understanding this is crucial. As voters, it’s a reminder to dig deeper and question the information you’re getting.

As a business owner, it’s about adapting. If your content isn’t aligned with what these algorithms favour, you’re invisible—whether you’re selling a product or sharing a message.

What Can You Do?

If you’re running a business:

• Create Original Content: Google loves fresh perspectives and new data.
• Build Authoritative Backlinks: Connect with reputable sites to boost your credibility.
• Optimise for AI Overviews: Adapt your SEO strategies for AI-generated summaries.

If you’re a voter:

• Cross-check information from multiple sources.
• Be aware of potential biases in your search results.

Final Thoughts

Whether Google is biased or not, it’s clear that search engines and AI tools play a massive role in shaping perceptions. The 2024 election showed us just how powerful these platforms are.

As users, we need to question everything. And as businesses, we need to stay ahead of the curve. Because if there’s one thing we know, it’s this: those who adapt, win.

By Cameron Francis

Helping businesses thrive in an ever-changing digital world.