Google, How Should I Vote? How Users Formulate Search Queries to Find Political Information on Search Engines

• Main Authors: Vziatysheva, Victoria, Makhortykh, Mykola, Sydorova, Maryna, Jumle, Vihang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-10-2024
• Subjects: Computer Science - Human-Computer Interaction
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2410.00778

Search engine results depend not only on the algorithms but also on how users
interact with them. However, factors affecting the selection of a search query
remain understudied. Using a representative survey of Swiss citizens before a
round of federal popular votes, this study examines how users formulate search
queries related to the retirement policies that were voted on in March 2024.
Contrary to existing research, we find no direct evidence of selective
exposure, or users' tendency to search for pro-attitudinal information, which
we explain by the less polarizing search topics. However, we find that the
sentiment of the query is partially aligned with the expected vote outcome. Our
results also suggest that undecided and non-voters are more likely to search
for nuanced information, such as consequences and interpretations of the
policies. The perceived importance and effect of the issue, political views,
and sociodemographics also affect query formulation.