Google periodically removes URLs that display pirated content. This month has made a record.
Google has removed more than 6 billion URLs leading to pirated content from its search results following requests from individuals or entities that did own the copyright.
Google periodically removes URLs leading to copyright-infringing content from its browser following individual requests it receives and following a review process to ensure that the requirements for such action are met.
goodbye to urls
In its latest report, the technology company ensures that it has removed 6,012,481,649 URLs hosted on 4,045,445 unique domains from the search results, as detailed by the company in its report.
These figures are based on requests from 327,510 copyright owners, who may be individuals or entities, and 333,880 reporting organizations, who have acted on behalf of copyright owners.
The company clarifies that not all requests conclude in the removal of the URL from the Search Engine results. Thus, a negative review of a business, criticism of a politician for his actions as a member of the government or the inclusion of a certain film in a list such as ‘The worst of XX year’ are examples of requests that do not meet the requirements.
Examples shared also include requests that impersonate a person or organization that owns the copyright, for which Google does not remove the URL “due to fraudulent copyright claims.”
On the contrary, it did proceed to remove the URL from the search engine in the case of a request made by a member of an ‘indie-pop’ band, in relation to a page on Vimeo that showed an unauthorized music video with one of the band songs. The person was unable to contact Vimeo or the person who uploaded the video, who “was not authorized to use the copyrighted song.” ( EuropaPress )