Researchers explored how search engine results affect user opinions by conducting experiments where participants received uniform search outcomes, irrespective of search terms. It was found that uniform results aligned opinions among users. Additionally, broader, neutral search results diminished the likelihood of users holding onto their initial beliefs. Importantly, these findings suggested that search engines could skew user perspectives by offering tailored, narrow results. While general results may not deter user satisfaction, there is caution necessary to avoid unnecessary exposure to misleading information in certain topics.
So, providing more general search results even when people were looking for more focused information doesn't seem to harm people's perception of the service.
When search engines provide directionally narrow search results in response to users' directionally narrow search terms, the results will reflect the users' existing beliefs.
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