Google creates special search result category for suicide and poisoning emergencies
Google has launched a new initiative aimed at helping those suffering poisoning emergencies or contemplating suicide to rapidly find help.
Anyone searching Google.com.au for a term like “poisoning” will see a special category of search result at the very top of the page — a large red phone icon and the words: “For a poison emergency in Australia call 13 11 26.”
This number puts them in touch with the Poisons Information Centre, a 24 hour service accessible from anywhere in Australia.
Similarly, a search on Google.com.au for certain terms related to suicide will turn up a large red phone icon and the words: “Need help? In Australia, call 13 11 14.”
This number will put callers in touch with suicide prevention organisation Lifeline Australia.
The initiative follows a similar one by Google in the US.
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More a special search result than a category. It’s a good idea.
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Simple and effective – excellent.
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Yes, but when you search for ‘poison’ all you get is info on the 1980s hairband. I can think of better ways to spend my final moments.
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It works for “i want to kill myself” but doesn’t work for “i want to f**king kill myself”.
Hmm.
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Special search results such as these are good for prevention purposes. If we know of someone who is suicidal or has swallowed something bad, then we will be able to seek help on how we could deter bad things from happening.
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I wonder if they’ll push it to things like “quit smoking” where there are public services set up but also commercial enterprises…
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This is really nice/powerful initiative. Shows that Google actually cares and believes in corporate responsibility. Inversely, Google collecting these type of stat’s automatically says their taking the right steps in preventing such a global issue/topic of concern.
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good idea Larry!
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Damn it, I just spent ages coming up with an SEO strategy for my client’s suicide site, this just throws it out the window…
Jks, good idea google, just searched “I want to die”, it works
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Brilliant
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A big ‘well done’ should go to Lifeline Australia who lobbied Google Australia to do this for the last few months, since the US site launched the same initiative.
Goes to show, a seemingly ‘simple’ example of socially-conscious work, can take a lot of work behind the scenes.
Personally, I wonder why it took Lifeline having to lobby Google Australia to get this done… still, I’m personally grateful to Lifeline for this and just wish it was there in January this year.
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Nice. One of those “surprised it’s not already there” things.
To remove the well known barrier of picking up and dialling, a live web chat option would be a good evolution.
Next up “employment at newscorp” as a special search string.
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I tried searching for ‘alien invasion’ and it didn’t do anything special. Please fix.
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