Google - forces the use US English

you say optimization, I say optimisation - google.co.uk says optimization

[gethan]

So try any search with a British vs. US spelling and even the regional sites bring back;

1) Results with the American spelling - the British spelling is nowhere (ok almost nowhere)
2) Did you mean "american spelling" - no I searched on the UK site!

Frankly - I find this quite offensive.

Anyone else see this across the versions of google - different words?

I know this did not use to be the case - anyone know when it switched?

[BigDave]

MikeD,

It is because Google doesen't give a rip as to what is the "proper" spelling, they are only telling you that you can find more infomation using the more common spelling.

If you brits go ahead and produce enough pages to take the lead in the online useage of a word, then it will switch directions.

It is absolutely in the users interest to point out to them that there is an alternate spelling that produces a larger number of results than the one they used.

My god, you brits are becoming as bad as the french and their laws to protect their mother tongue. It really is pathetic that you are actually offended by a suggestion on how to find more results.

I honestly would not be the least bit offended if Google suggested that I also check a search on "colour" or "optimise".

You know, it just might make you feel better to do a search on "aluminium" and notice that it does not in fact suggest that you search on "aluminum". I guess that there is some threshold where they don't force you to use our "incorrect" spellings.

Seriously, stop being offended for a moment, and try to see if you can possibly come up with any reasons that it might be a good thing.

[edited by: Marcia at 10:20 pm (utc) on April 19, 2004]

[mixd]

bigdave is correct - laZer is a trademark just like kleenex & band-aid...

Maybe the Z just looked cooler, so people started spelling it that way? :)

...in response to the discussion about "optimisation" it appears google does not acknowledge that the spelling with an "s" even exists. Seems to me like they have gotten a bit too bold in assuming that more common = better. Lately their search results have returned the most irrelevant crap ever...

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

BigDave you'll have to forgive us because we are a bit sensitive over here right now. You had George Boosh as a chimp and now we have Tony Blare as a puppet. Can you imagine what it's like having a PM who is a chimp's puppet?

Please be kind to us :o¦

[BigDave]

Considering where Google's campaign contributions are going this year, you might want to reconsider which US companies you pick on because of president shrub.

[john_k]

Speaking of opposum eyez, when I was in Germany, I drank a good share of Optimator. A great dopple-bock that doesn't beat around the boosh. There were many mornings that I awoke with optim-eyes.

When I searched for Randy Bush, Google insulted me with "Did you mean: horny chimp?" So the G-men aren't completely ignoring you Brits and Aussies.

[rfgdxm1]

>...in response to the discussion about "optimisation" it appears google does not acknowledge that the spelling with an "s" even exists. Seems to me like they have gotten a bit too bold in assuming that more common = better.

Yes, they do. Enter "optimisation" and then "optimization" into Google UK, searching the entire web. Big difference.