# Did Google search autocomplete just add the word "gay"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 19, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198 "2010-11-19T04:39:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/1 "2010-11-19T04:39:55Z")
When I used to type stuff into Google, the autocomplete function would never include the word “gay.” So, if you typed in, “is Justin Bieber”, autocomplete would come up with “is Justin Bieber dead,” “is Justin Bieber a virgin,” “is Justin Bieber single,” etc. But never “is Justin Bieber gay.” Even people like Elton John would give you “is Elton John still alive,” etc, but not “is Elton John gay.” Now, however, “gay” keeps coming up whenever you type in “is person x…”. When did this happen? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/2 "2010-11-19T04:51:35Z")
I’m pretty sure that Google autocomplete is driven by the users, so the phenomenon you’re seeing isn’t google making gay jokes, but a rise in people asking that question. In addition, I suspect that they may have loosened their filter. I also believe that they censor, or force down, certain terms in autocomplete like “porn” so they don’t show up automatically at work or something, but I’m not sure of that. ---
**Author:** ![Uncertain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Uncertain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncertain)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/3 "2010-11-19T04:56:44Z")
That kicks in when Google figures out that you’re gay. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/4 "2010-11-19T05:05:22Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > In addition, I suspect that they may have loosened their filter. Yes, this is what I mean - did they loosen their filter in the last week or so? I noticed this because I am very fond of typing things into Google and seeing what the autocomplete will come up with. ---
**Author:** ![kfraser34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@kfraser34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kfraser34)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/5 "2010-11-19T05:44:14Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Yes, this is what I mean - did they loosen their filter in the last week or so? I noticed this because I am very fond of typing things into Google and seeing what the autocomplete will come up with. I’ve used the auto complete to play a family feud type game… type in a word or name and have people try and guess what are the 10 most popular searches that go with it… ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/6 "2010-11-19T12:50:50Z")
I just tried it and it comes up with gay. I tried it with Michale Buble, Michael J Fox and even Barack Obama all come up with gay. Oddly enough Michael J Fox and gay is the last option while with Barack Obama it is fifth. (Is Barack Obama a Muslim is first) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-google-search-autocomplete-just-add-the-word-gay/561198/7 "2010-11-19T15:39:30Z")
Some auto-complete results: “Is my” = (#1) husband gay? (#2) boyfriend gay? “Is my brother” = (#1) gay? “Is my son” = (#1) gay? “Is my daughter” = (#1) gay? “Am I” = (#1) registered to vote in California? I wonder what that last one is suggesting…