The Politics of Search: A Decade Retrospective.
Abstract
In “Shaping theWeb:Why the Politics of Search Engines Matters,”
Introna and Nissenbaum (2000) introduced scholars to the
political, as well as technical, issues central to the development of
online search engines. Since that time, scholars have critically evaluated
the role that search engines play in structuring the scope of
online information access for the rest of society, with an emphasis
on the implications for a democratic and diverseWeb. This article
describes the thought behind search engine regulation, online diversity,
and information bias, and it places these issues within the
context of the technical and societal changes that have occurred
in the online search industry. The author assesses which of the
initial concerns expressed about online search engines remain relevant
today and discusses how technical changes demand a new
approach to measuring online diversity and democracy. The author
concludes with a proposal to direct the research and thought
in online search going forward.
Introna and Nissenbaum (2000) introduced scholars to the
political, as well as technical, issues central to the development of
online search engines. Since that time, scholars have critically evaluated
the role that search engines play in structuring the scope of
online information access for the rest of society, with an emphasis
on the implications for a democratic and diverseWeb. This article
describes the thought behind search engine regulation, online diversity,
and information bias, and it places these issues within the
context of the technical and societal changes that have occurred
in the online search industry. The author assesses which of the
initial concerns expressed about online search engines remain relevant
today and discusses how technical changes demand a new
approach to measuring online diversity and democracy. The author
concludes with a proposal to direct the research and thought
in online search going forward.
Research Areas
