Google Tweaks Search Algorithm for 'Lesbian' to Display Less Porn

Google Tweaks Search Algorithm for 'Lesbian' to Display Less Porn

CYBERSPACE — French web searchers who intend to find news and information when they type “lesbienne” into Google’s search engine will now receive informative results instead of adult content, thanks to critical tweaks to the company’s search algorithm.

“Lesbienne” is French for “lesbian.” The change has been credited to the operators of the Twitter account @SEO_lesbienne and French news site Numerama.com.

“They noted that only the word ‘lesbian’ linked to sexualized pages, whereas searching for ‘gay’ or ‘trans’ displayed Wikipedia pages, articles and specialized blogs,” writes Pink News.

Numerama also found that Google’s Pride Month banner, intended to celebrate all LGBTQ people, would appear when users typed in such terms as “gay,” “homosexual,” “bisexual,” “transgender” and “queer.” But “lesbian” would display the banner alongside links to pornographic content.

“The tech site noted that the same wasn’t true for English-language searches for ‘lesbian’ on Google.com, which returned informational and news content, like other LGBTQ searches,” reports Metro Weekly.

Numerama, citing "enormous social consequences" to such an apparent oversight, reached out to Pandu Nayak, Google’s VP of search engine quality. He described the results as “terrible.”

“We are aware that there are problems like this, in many languages and different searches. We have developed algorithms to improve this research, one after the other,” Nayak said, adding that searches for “girl” and “teen” will also now default to more safe-for-work results. When a search term can be interpreted in a pornographic context, he said, Google has taken steps to ensure a non-explicit context is prioritized in search results.

Image: SEO_lesbienne via Twitter

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Industry Attorney Paul Cambria Retires After 50 Years of Practicing Law

After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.

2026 XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 19 in Hollywood

The 2026 XMA nominations reveal party will take place at Keys on the Sunset Strip on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

New VR Membership Site 'DeepInSex.com' Launches

The new 8K VR membership site DeepInSex has officially launched.

NATS Launches Integrated Content Management System

Too Much Media (TMM) has rolled out an integrated, no-charge Content Management System (CMS) to its NATS platform.

AEBN Reveals Avery Lust as Top Trans Star for Q3 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the third quarter of 2025, with Avery Lust landing atop the leaderboard.

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Reena Sky Launches New Paysite

Reena Sky has launched her new official paysite, ILoveReenaSky.com.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Show More