Google Language Detection Bug Confused As Chinese Hack

Mar 25, 2010 - 6:58 am 0 by
Filed Under Google

Yesterday, there was a big stink about Google being hacked by the Chinese because their Google corporate page was being rendered in Chinese for *some* users. At the same time, some were seeing it rendered in Spanish and other languages. As the reports came in, some of us at Search Engine Land were suspicious that this was indeed not a hack but rather a bug.

A few days ago, I reported an odd language detection bug with Google Webmaster Tools that seemed a lot like what was being blamed as a hack with the corporate page, but over at Webmaster Tools. The thing was, the bug wasn't fixed and more and more people complained about the issue. The issue also started popping up in other areas, such as Picasa as reported in this Google Web Search Help thread.

The Guardian updated their story to confirm from a Google spokesperson that this was "not a hack, but a bug." It is funny how things can drive such confusion so fast on the Internet. In any event, Google is to blame for not fixing the issue back when we first reported it, which was last Friday!

Forum discussion at Google Web Search Help.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
Google Core Update Rumbling, Manual Actions FAQs, Core Web Vitals Updates, AI, Bing, Ads & More - YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: March 18, 2024

Mar 18, 2024 - 4:00 pm
Google Updates

Google Urges Patience As The March 2024 Core Update Continues To Rollout

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:51 am
Google

Official: Google Replaces Perspective Filter With Forums Filter

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Now Offers Additional Review After Appeal Is Denied

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

EU Searchers Complaining About Google Maps Features Changes Related To DMA

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google

Google Showing Fewer Sitelinks Within Search

Mar 18, 2024 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Google Cache URLs To Be webcache.googleusercontent.com?