AVG Search says "powered by Google" but the results don't match

[cabbagehead909]

I have AVG installed on my computer. As such, it was kind enough to install a search form into my Firefox browser. When I do a search using that form, it shows me search results that are "powered by Google" ...and yet the SERPs look NOTHING like the SERPs if I perform the same search on Google.

Any thoughts as to why?

Note - I am *not* logged into Google while doing this.

[tedster]

I've noticed something like this often with AOL Search (another "powered by" site.) When Google exports their search as a service, they don't export nearly all the data they have. On AOL, many times the site: operator shows this dramatically.

[Leosghost]

I think also that AVG "powered by" also defaults G search to "safe"... "filters" ( came across it on a neighbors machine..it was blocking access to anything not "child safe"..so serps were much more restricted ..and smaller )..he being 68 years old and with adult children living in their own houses, thought it was a tad presumptuous, especially as it was not mentioned that the default was severely restricted settings..

[lucy24]

I think also that AVG "powered by" also defaults G search to "safe"...

Your neighbor's pharmacy probably dispenses all his medications in "child-proof" containers that are impossible for anyone over the age of 55 to open. At least in the US they would.

Do they only give you two options? There are three in Advanced Search; it defaults to "moderate". Enter the right (or wrong) search terms and your results will be plenty icky enough at that stage.

For some reason the "safe search" picker looks like a slider bar although there are only three stopping points. Are they planning some future code tweak where you can choose any point on the continuum?

Now, if you have a different custom search installed in each browser on each computer, and average out the results, how much closer will that get you to the "generic" search result?

[Hope_Fowl]

Also remember that when you do the search in Google, Google is using information about you. The search through other tools is returning results which are less customized to you.

Try a search for "car wash". The first page will probably have some nearby car washes, because Google is guessing at where you are.

If you search for a term related to one of your clients, Google may know that you've been searching on related topics and return results which are skewed toward your interests.