Google Goes Deeper On ProtectedSearch With Troubleshooting Particulars

Google has put together a new help document on SafeSearch where it merged a bunch of content into a single page around this topic. It also added content around how SafeSearch works and a new section for troubleshooting that adds some details, as I also reported on Search Engine Land on Sunday.

As a reminder, SafeSearch is what Google causes its adult filter for search. SafeSearch when turned on will filter out explicit sex of any type, pornography, nudity, violence or gore.

Here is what I found to be interesting and possibly new when it comes to SafeSearch.

• Machine Learning: “Google’s automated systems use machine learning and a variety of signals to identify explicit content, including words on the hosting web page and in links.”
• Group content: If you have a mixed site with both adult and non-adult content, then use a separate domain or subdomain or subfolder to help Google figure out what to filter out – this is not new information. (not new)
• When you don’t group content: If you do not group your adult content like this, Google might just label your whole site under SafeSearch (not new)
• Timeline: It can take 2 to 3 months for Google to update its SafeSearch details for your site (not new)
• Blurred image: If you are blurring explicit images on a page, the page may still be deemed explicit if the image can be unblurred or leads to an unblurred image. (new to me)
• Medical images: Understand that if you have nudity for whatever reason—even to illustrate a medical procedure—the intent doesn’t negate the explicit nature of that content. (not new)
• Feature loss: Note that explicit content isn’t eligible for some search features, such as rich snippets, featured snippets, or video previews. Learn more about Search feature policies. (not new)

Anyway, now all these details are in a single document.

Forum discussion at Twitter.