Automated shortcuts lead to surprising places - or do they?
While surfing the net, we probably should always be prepared to expect the unexpected. When I read Samantha Gross' Associated Press article "With automated tagging, Web links can get wild" I kind of knew where things were headed. Apparently, readers of an AP piece about a recent scandal involving a young call girl and a NY politician were led to a site that was less than savory.
It seems that those usually handy highlighted words (or strings of words) - in this instance "underage girls" - ended up with a pop-up window showing a Flickr image. Yahoo's automated system, Yahoo Shortcuts ordinarily links readers to sites that'll give them more information on topics mentioned in the piece they're reading. You know, you're reading about California wild fires and you'll see a county or an endangered species name highlighted - these shortcuts are great if you want some more insight.
I don't think I'm more skeptical than most; tell me truly - if you see the words "underage girls" highlighted isn't it natural to be leery of clicking there? Granted, these shortcuts are often automated and I can see how they "get out" before they can be pulled. For now, I think the reader should just remain aware and we can probably continue to rely on most unsavory content being included in the thousands of already blocked terms. Or, just don't click through. You can take your chances and do your own separate search - going where ever you please.
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