Google apparently uses click data for its search

Google has so far denied that the company uses click data for its searches. A new search function with the title “Most-read articles” now suggests exactly that. The backgrounds.

Google is apparently currently testing a new search function called “Most-read articles”. The test suggests that the company uses click data for its searches – although Google has recently vehemently denied this.

“Most-read articles”: Google tests new search function

Some Google users are currently seeing a new feature. This is an area in the search with the title “Most-read articles”. As the name suggests, articles appear there that appear to have been clicked on and read particularly often.

Several social media users had previously discovered the function. For example, user Shameem Adhikarath reports in one Post on X (formerly Twitter) from the new section in Google Search. Also the blog Search Engine Roundtable has already pointed out a corresponding test of the function, citing social media posts.

Does Google use click data for its search?

But how does Google know which articles are clicked on and how often? First of all, the clicks in the search results can be considered as a source because the company collects corresponding data for this. The click numbers could also come from the in-house browser Google Chrome or the tracking tool Google Analytics.

However, not all website operators use Google Analytics and not all Google users use the Chrome browser. The new “Most-read articles” search function is not clear evidence that Google incorporates click data into its search. However, it is a clear indication of this.

However, it is still unclear what data the function is based on. Google has previously repeatedly denied that click rates are included in searches. From a Contribution des X-Accounts Big Tech on Trial However, it appears that a Google employee explained in court that there was an internal company instruction not to question the role of click data.

The “Most-read articles” section seems to be shown to only a few users so far – apparently only in the English-language version. We are not aware of any reports from German users to date.

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