Google Updates SafeSearch Filter In Image Searches

Google Images has always had a filter system that allowed you to have Strict, Moderate, or no filtering at all, to help you get rid of objectionable and/or explicit content. Strict filtering worked pretty well and caught 99% of the objectionable content and kept you from having nightmares at night. Moderate, you’d catch some NWS content, though it is still rare. With filtering turned off, we all know what happens then.

Google has now turned on a new Safe Search filtering tool for Google Images. It will completely filter one-word searches, even if you turn Safe Search off. For many objectionable searches that are two words or more, you’ll get a one-time pop-up that suggests you turn Safe Search on. If you go to the drop down to look at the Safe Search options, you’ll now be presented with “Filter Explicit Results” and “Report Offensive Images.” So, with this fancy new system in place, no more easy pr0n search results for you!

You can still use Google Images on other Google variants, such as google.co.uk or google.ca, and it will still have the old style filtering. I have not caught any other news as to why this was put up on Google.com, or when/if they will put it on their other pages.

Be responsible and please don’t try searching for NWS content at work!