Google Will Now Let You Block Sites In Search Results

Can't stand to see a site in your search results? Now Google will let you block it.

Google announced today the addition of a site-blocking feature for search that lets you hide all results from any site you specify.

Next to "Cached" and "Similar" will appear a "Block all example.com results" link (see screenshot below). This "block" link will appearwhen the user clicks a result and then returns to Google, not on all results.

After confirming the block, the next search you make will give you a message telling you that a blocked site has been forbidden from appearing in your results.

Blocked domains are linked with your Google account, so sites you've blocked only remain blocked if you're signed in. Users can see all their blocked sites within settings, and unblock them if they so choose. Google previously introduced an extension with the same site blocking feature.

"We're adding this feature because we believe giving you control over the results you find will provide an even more personalized and enjoyable experience on Google," the post said, though they noted that the blocking would not affect search rankings--yet. But, they say, if the data is fruitful, changes could be coming.

LOOK:

Comments

[BryantG]

02:44 PM on 03/23/2011

So does this mean I'll be able to filter out that site that offers me "great deals on" whatever I happen to be searching for, say, chinese philosophers for example?

[MaxPowerXP]

11:51 PM on 03/11/2011

good riddance expertsexchange

[BryantG]

02:38 PM on 03/23/2011

Man, and how!

[BraineyRubble]

05:47 PM on 03/11/2011

Google's site is swamped with Republicans furiously hurrying to remove "Santorum."

[american-dolt]

11:42 AM on 03/11/2011

I'd like to see results by commercial and non-commercial.

[Sunflo]

09:00 AM on 03/11/2011

Good!

[athenalong]

08:22 AM on 03/11/2011

I'd MUCH PREFER Google giving me BACK the option to get ALL search results, and not suppressing/blocking sites that THEY think are too delicate for my adult sensibilities.

If a return on porn sites is a concern for people when they search, there should be an option for THEM to block 'adult content' or whatever.

The whole 'keyword' blocking thing is insulting, and not very refined.

[Rrhain]

06:26 PM on 03/11/2011

It's called "Safe Search" and you have been able to do that for quite some time.

Go to google.com and in the "Settings" link at the very top of the page on the right, click "Search Settings." Scroll to the "Safe Search" section and set it to "Do not filter my search results."

[athenalong]

10:41 PM on 03/11/2011

OMG...

How did that escape me?

When they made instant search the default, I opted out, but the safe search thing I didn't see a way to turn it off..

THANK YOU my friend!

Awesome.

[jjasonham]

07:02 AM on 03/11/2011

Yes! Now I can block all those "Yahoo Answer" sites!

[European1919]

06:50 AM on 03/11/2011

Nice idea - on the surface. Not happy about it being linked to the account. Google will do anything to collect more information about you ... even have a basically good idea which lets them see who you block and who not. Information connected to you as a person which they can sell and use. The more I hear about this company, the less I like it.

[Rrhain]

06:30 PM on 03/11/2011

But from a search-engine point of view, it's the flip side of the original algorithm. That is, Google's search algorithm is basically a popularity contest: The more sites link to a page, the more prominent that page gets listed in the search.

A good search engine should be able to do the reverse, too: Negative response. Just because something is linked to a lot doesn't mean it should be the result you get. It will help fix Google-bombing where people set up a bunch of fake pages that link to a page in order to boost its ranking. If Google can get feedback indicating that a page isn't helpful, then it can lower the ranking despite the seeming ubiquitousness of the page.

Now, that this means Google can get some more information that it can sell as advertising, well, that's another question. I've never believed the "Don't Be Evil" schtick, but I understand why they want to add this to the search engine.

[lilylee86]

02:45 AM on 03/11/2011

That is cool..I love this feature.
----------------------------------
WinPST Share Outlook..

[Ramon Moreno]

01:17 AM on 03/11/2011

Yeah, I was getting really tired of all the torrents and porn. Now I can catch up on the classics.

[littlebrowngirl]

12:33 AM on 03/11/2011

Thanks China.

[mrJJ]

12:08 AM on 03/11/2011

You can dig for truth about FoxNews lies without seeing any of their search results.

[Almondo]

11:59 PM on 03/10/2011

buhbye experts exchange & friends ;)

[Jolimont]

11:05 PM on 03/10/2011

Quite useful.

[Ramon Moreno]

01:14 AM on 03/11/2011

for the self-repressed.

[Comment Betch]

07:48 PM on 03/10/2011

Any page with University of Phoenix and other shamelessly advertising distance education or get a B.A. in 2 days schools on their sites. For the love of peanut butter and piss!

[Tenement Funster]

09:09 PM on 03/10/2011

I wish there was a similar function for television.

[wilray]

12:34 AM on 03/11/2011

You can block them in the search results, however, I don't think that means that you will be able to block their ads.