Why does google image search find no images of Stevie Wonder?
February 6, 2009 6:34 PM Subscribe
If you do a google image search for Stevie Wonder, no images are found. Any idea why? I have never searched for something and found nothing.
"Results 1 - 20 of about 1,870,000 for stevie wonder. (0.04 seconds)"
Try refreshing.
posted by mohrr at 6:36 PM on February 6, 2009
Try refreshing.
posted by mohrr at 6:36 PM on February 6, 2009
Um..you're doing it wrong? Seriously, works fine for me.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:36 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:36 PM on February 6, 2009
I also get "Your search - stevie wonder - did not match any documents."
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 6:39 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by Karlos the Jackal at 6:39 PM on February 6, 2009
No results here. Maybe the internet can only see you if you can see it.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:40 PM on February 6, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 6:40 PM on February 6, 2009 [6 favorites]
Do you have AdBlockPlus installed and maybe blocking images.google.com?
posted by furtive at 6:41 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by furtive at 6:41 PM on February 6, 2009
I tried this via the link from the OP and got zero results. Then I opened up a new tab, went to google, entered "stevie wonder", got web results, then hit image, and got "Results 1 - 20 of about 1,560,000".
The URL that didn't work is:
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=Stevie%20Wonder&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
The URL that did work is:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=stevie%20wonder&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
wonder what
rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302
means?
posted by Sublimity at 6:43 PM on February 6, 2009
The URL that didn't work is:
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=Stevie%20Wonder&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
The URL that did work is:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=stevie%20wonder&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
wonder what
rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302
means?
posted by Sublimity at 6:43 PM on February 6, 2009
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=on&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
works for me while the given link does not. The URL above just switches safesearch from off to on. Which is weird.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:47 PM on February 6, 2009
works for me while the given link does not. The URL above just switches safesearch from off to on. Which is weird.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:47 PM on February 6, 2009
the rlz parameter:
You may notice a RLZ parameter in the URL when you do a Google search from the Google Chrome address bar. The RLZ parameter contains some encoded information (like when you downloaded Google Chrome and where you got it from). The RLZ parameter does not uniquely identify you nor is it used to target advertising. Google uses this information in aggregate to find out whether groups of people are using Google Chrome actively. Not all users have the same RLZ parameter. The RLZ parameter is based on where Google Chrome was download from, when it was installed, and when certain features were first used, like search.
A RLZ parameter is sent to Google with every search done using the built-in search box. It is also sent separately on days when Google Chrome has been used or when certain significant events occur such as a successful installation of Google Chrome. The RLZ parameter is stored in the registry and may be updated from time to time. The code that makes this work is not included in the open source project (http://www.chromium.org) because it only applies to the version of the browser that Google distributes, Google Chrome.
posted by zippy at 6:48 PM on February 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
You may notice a RLZ parameter in the URL when you do a Google search from the Google Chrome address bar. The RLZ parameter contains some encoded information (like when you downloaded Google Chrome and where you got it from). The RLZ parameter does not uniquely identify you nor is it used to target advertising. Google uses this information in aggregate to find out whether groups of people are using Google Chrome actively. Not all users have the same RLZ parameter. The RLZ parameter is based on where Google Chrome was download from, when it was installed, and when certain features were first used, like search.
A RLZ parameter is sent to Google with every search done using the built-in search box. It is also sent separately on days when Google Chrome has been used or when certain significant events occur such as a successful installation of Google Chrome. The RLZ parameter is stored in the registry and may be updated from time to time. The code that makes this work is not included in the open source project (http://www.chromium.org) because it only applies to the version of the browser that Google distributes, Google Chrome.
posted by zippy at 6:48 PM on February 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
Works for me. My theory: Google keeps it's grand database of every keyword ever and the pages on which it is found on multiple servers. Some of those servers are not currently accessible by some users. Stevie Wonder lives on a server with currently limited connectivity.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:49 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:49 PM on February 6, 2009
The rlz parameter doesn't do it for me; I can get rid of it and still get no images. SafeSearch is the only thing that makes a difference for me. It needs to be on.
Again, weird.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:51 PM on February 6, 2009
Again, weird.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:51 PM on February 6, 2009
This is great. Awesome find. Either there's a good reason, or there's a bug. Maybe the Unsafe Search contains such unsafe results that they just can't be shown, no matter what? Anyway, great. Perfect way to end the work week.
posted by doteatop at 7:09 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by doteatop at 7:09 PM on February 6, 2009
This is my favorite one on the first page. Look at all those keyboards!
posted by box at 7:21 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by box at 7:21 PM on February 6, 2009
I think Sublimity and zippy have it; the rlz parameter is it, I think. Note that the rlz parameter might be setting a cookie or something, so it clearly doesn't work (as everybody points out) to just delete the rlz= bit and reload the page. However, if, as Sublimity says, you
(1) Open a new, fresh tab.
(2) Type "www.google.com" into the address bar and load it.
(3) Type stevie wonder into the search line and search.
(4) Notice the many results, and then click the "images" link at the top of the page.
then you get a whole bunch of results. At least I do; I get all the results I normally would, all the results I get when, for example, I search "stevie wonder" (with quotes).
Everybody else try this - not just editing out the rlz parameter, but starting fresh - does this work?
If it's the RLZ causing the problem, then I posit the following: this long-forgotten member of the Wu Tang Klan has returned, angry about the failure of his solo career and his minimal effect on popular music, and is blocking results to successful pop stars on google.
posted by koeselitz at 7:21 PM on February 6, 2009
(1) Open a new, fresh tab.
(2) Type "www.google.com" into the address bar and load it.
(3) Type stevie wonder into the search line and search.
(4) Notice the many results, and then click the "images" link at the top of the page.
then you get a whole bunch of results. At least I do; I get all the results I normally would, all the results I get when, for example, I search "stevie wonder" (with quotes).
Everybody else try this - not just editing out the rlz parameter, but starting fresh - does this work?
If it's the RLZ causing the problem, then I posit the following: this long-forgotten member of the Wu Tang Klan has returned, angry about the failure of his solo career and his minimal effect on popular music, and is blocking results to successful pop stars on google.
posted by koeselitz at 7:21 PM on February 6, 2009
no winner here, but pretty damn good.
1,580,000 for stevie wonder. (0.03 seconds)
posted by 543DoublePlay at 7:29 PM on February 6, 2009
1,580,000 for stevie wonder. (0.03 seconds)
posted by 543DoublePlay at 7:29 PM on February 6, 2009
AH. No, strike that.
If I remove
&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302
from
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
so that I get
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
then it works on reload.
So it seems like a bug with the interaction of the safesearch and RLZ parameters. But other people will have to confirm. I don't know...
posted by koeselitz at 7:32 PM on February 6, 2009
If I remove
&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302
from
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
so that I get
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
then it works on reload.
So it seems like a bug with the interaction of the safesearch and RLZ parameters. But other people will have to confirm. I don't know...
posted by koeselitz at 7:32 PM on February 6, 2009
The SafeSearch option seems to make all the difference. I have it off, got no results. Turned it back on, I get a zillion results.
That's a bug. Definitely a bug.
Report that shit!
posted by Netzapper at 7:35 PM on February 6, 2009
That's a bug. Definitely a bug.
Report that shit!
posted by Netzapper at 7:35 PM on February 6, 2009
And... I'm getting different wonkiness across different browsers (Camino and Firefox 2.0.4 on Mac OS X 10.3.9), so I'm almost certain this is cookie-related, but I don't have the computer and tools I'd need to verify that at this moment.
posted by koeselitz at 7:38 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by koeselitz at 7:38 PM on February 6, 2009
Apparently, Stevie Wonder is so exceedingly wholesome that he doesn't even show up when you even allow for the possibility of finding porn.
posted by koeselitz at 7:39 PM on February 6, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by koeselitz at 7:39 PM on February 6, 2009 [5 favorites]
With Mobile Safari, SafeSearch on returned results, off didn't.
posted by Pronoiac at 7:47 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by Pronoiac at 7:47 PM on February 6, 2009
I really really thought this was going to be a "Stevie Wonder is blind" thing.
Both (all?) links give me may pictures of Mr. Wonder.
posted by dirtdirt at 7:48 PM on February 6, 2009
Both (all?) links give me may pictures of Mr. Wonder.
posted by dirtdirt at 7:48 PM on February 6, 2009
Very weird, my results are the same as mr_roboto
I will have to flip safe search on/off more when searching. And to think I just didn't want a censored internet. (xp, FF3)
posted by blink_left at 7:57 PM on February 6, 2009
I will have to flip safe search on/off more when searching. And to think I just didn't want a censored internet. (xp, FF3)
posted by blink_left at 7:57 PM on February 6, 2009
Safesearch on, safesearch off - I get results either way. More with it off than on, but not by much.
posted by arcticwoman at 8:02 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by arcticwoman at 8:02 PM on February 6, 2009
i don't see anything either. definitely a bug (how often do can you say that about google search!)
posted by jcruelty at 8:02 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by jcruelty at 8:02 PM on February 6, 2009
Can the people who are immediately getting results tell us if the &safesearch=off and the &rlz=ECCEO or whatever parameters are still in the address once the page loads after they click the links?
posted by koeselitz at 8:05 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by koeselitz at 8:05 PM on February 6, 2009
I just did the search in Google Images and got no results. Bizarre!
Your search - stevie wonder - did not match any documents.
I've never seen anything like it! LINK!
posted by 2oh1 at 8:10 PM on February 6, 2009
Your search - stevie wonder - did not match any documents.
I've never seen anything like it! LINK!
posted by 2oh1 at 8:10 PM on February 6, 2009
P.S. I'm on a Mac, using Safari, just in case that matters.
posted by 2oh1 at 8:11 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by 2oh1 at 8:11 PM on February 6, 2009
I'm using Firefox 3, I have safesearch off. If I type stevie wonder into google images, I get no results. If I type "stevie wonder" in (with quotes, see), I get 1,520,000 results.
posted by Joh at 8:15 PM on February 6, 2009
posted by Joh at 8:15 PM on February 6, 2009
Using Safari, when I clicked OP's link, Stevie didn't show up. But when I reentered "Stevie Wonder" in quotations, I received a full display of Wonder-ful images.
So Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing.
posted by terranova at 9:14 PM on February 6, 2009
So Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing.
posted by terranova at 9:14 PM on February 6, 2009
I get ~1.8 million results from the link in the OP. Here are the parameters (everything after the ? in the http://images.google.com/images? URI):
um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
With the "safe search on" link above (posted by mr_roboto), I get ~ 1.16 million results. Params here:
um=1&hl=en&safe=on&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
posted by amtho at 10:14 PM on February 6, 2009
um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
With the "safe search on" link above (posted by mr_roboto), I get ~ 1.16 million results. Params here:
um=1&hl=en&safe=on&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS302&q=stevie+wonder&btnG=Search+Images
posted by amtho at 10:14 PM on February 6, 2009
I get results with safe search on or off.
If the rlz parameter has something to do with it - based on what koeselitz said
posted by ClarissaWAM at 1:54 AM on February 7, 2009
If the rlz parameter has something to do with it - based on what koeselitz said
It's kind of ridiculous that Chrome edits the registry and alters any search done on the installed-on computer in Google to include that parameter.would it make a difference if you have (or ever had) Chrome installed on your computer? (I do have it, tho I am now on FF3)
posted by ClarissaWAM at 1:54 AM on February 7, 2009
OP link works for me, no problem. The "rlx" parameter remains in the link after clicking, still see results, safe search on or no.
FF3, OS X, Cambridge MA.
posted by losvedir at 11:48 AM on February 7, 2009
FF3, OS X, Cambridge MA.
posted by losvedir at 11:48 AM on February 7, 2009
I followed the original link, and got all results. The querystring is unchanged. Safesearch is off.
OS X 10.5, Safari 3.2.1
posted by cCranium at 12:40 PM on February 7, 2009
OS X 10.5, Safari 3.2.1
posted by cCranium at 12:40 PM on February 7, 2009
I have a theory: maybe anybody who's ever installed Google Chrome, and therefore who has their own registry-driven rlz parameter, doesn't have a problem, but those of us who haven't do.
posted by koeselitz at 2:21 AM on February 8, 2009
posted by koeselitz at 2:21 AM on February 8, 2009
I have a theory: maybe anybody who's ever installed Google Chrome, and therefore who has their own registry-driven rlz parameter, doesn't have a problem, but those of us who haven't do.
I haven't installed chrome. Running Linux, though--have no idea how that impacts the rlz parameter thing.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:50 AM on February 8, 2009
I haven't installed chrome. Running Linux, though--have no idea how that impacts the rlz parameter thing.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:50 AM on February 8, 2009
Google is not just one server, and the database is not the same everywhere, if you have some spooky results as this one try BigDaddy IP.
posted by zouhair at 12:10 AM on February 9, 2009
posted by zouhair at 12:10 AM on February 9, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Captain_Science at 6:35 PM on February 6, 2009 [1 favorite]