Vielfalt bei Google?

Diversity on Google? Quantity, Balance, and Variety of Election-Related Search Results

Abstract #

This chapter examines the diversity of sources in Google search results during the 2021 German federal election. To do this, we first review relevant theoretical approaches to the concept of source diversity in search results, drawing on theories of democracy as well as current findings on information and media diversity. Based on this, we conceptualize our understanding of diversity in three dimensions and develop appropriate operationalizations and measurement methods for each. For the empirical part, Google search results were collected through 285,966 agent-based tests conducted in the run-up to the election, based on a population-representative survey. In the results section, we analyze the collected data with regard to the diversity of sources and the associated democratic theoretical claims. The analysis shows a mixed picture regarding the suitability of different operationalizations. Finally, we discuss recommendations for future research as well as for a more sustainable monitoring of source diversity in the context of search engines.

Cite #

@inbook{
  Schwabl_2023, 
  title={Vielfalt bei Google? Vielzahl, Ausgewogenheit und Verschiedenheit wahlbezogener Suchergebnisse}, 
  ISBN={9783658389673}, 
  url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-38967-3_11}, 
  DOI={10.1007/978-3-658-38967-3_11}, 
  booktitle={Die (Massen-)Medien im Wahlkampf. Die Bundestagswahl 2021}, 
  publisher={Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden}, 
  author={Schwabl, Patrick and Unkel, Julian and Haim, Mario},
  editor={Holtz-Bacha, Christina}, 
  year={2023}, 
  pages={293–316}
}