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Google results not accurate when using Firefox

  • 6 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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After I installed Chrome, when I used Google Search with Firefox, the results were skewed. For example, when I searched for Netflix using google on Firefox, the home page would not appear. When I used google on Chrome or IE, then Netflix home page would appear as always. The results were the same using any search term, like Yahoo, Ebay, etc. Is there a reason for the change in algorithm when using google and Firefox?

After I installed Chrome, when I used Google Search with Firefox, the results were skewed. For example, when I searched for Netflix using google on Firefox, the home page would not appear. When I used google on Chrome or IE, then Netflix home page would appear as always. The results were the same using any search term, like Yahoo, Ebay, etc. Is there a reason for the change in algorithm when using google and Firefox?

Chosen solution

You appear to be logged on to Google, so it is possible that Google stores your search history and offers you "personalized" links.

Is there a difference from when you aren't logged on?

So, you may want to check the Google settings to see if web history is enabled (click the gear shaped icon on the Google results page).

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All Replies (6)

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This probably is something you can change, but first two questions.

First, where are you are entering the text?

(1) URL bar;
(2) search box on the toolbar
(3) Firefox home page

Second, do you prefer Firefox to fix the URL, e.g., you type netflix in the URL bar and Firefox goes to www.netflix.com, or do you prefer Google to make its best guess about the page you want?

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Actually, it's a little bit weirder than what y'all are describing. I don't use the location bar or the Google search space at the top of the browser. I'm so old school that I go to Google home page to do a search.

The best way that I can describe the problem is like this: when I do the search, it's almost like I'm looking at search results that are 4-5 pages deep instead of the typical main hits that Google provides.

I thought that this was occurring with IE, but it is not. Chrome has no issue, either.

The results that come up when I search (e.g. Netflix) are the following sites:

1. Paid Netflix ad highlighted in the "paid pink" background 2. News for Netflix 3. An article from Mashable that is titled, "YouTube, Netflix, Twitter..." 4. An article from Engadget that is titled, "Netflix introduces its own CDN..."

The results are the same if I use the Google search page or if I use the Google search box at the top of the Firefox browser screen.

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Chosen Solution

You appear to be logged on to Google, so it is possible that Google stores your search history and offers you "personalized" links.

Is there a difference from when you aren't logged on?

So, you may want to check the Google settings to see if web history is enabled (click the gear shaped icon on the Google results page).

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There was a difference in search results when I logged off. Hmmm.

I toggled the "personalized links" option to "off," and it removed only two of the search results. After this, I looked through the other Google search options and found the "Web History" and opted to *not* use this as a basis for searching...and now I'm back to the normal results.

Thank you for your observations. You helped a bunch!

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You're welcome