Google recently announced the implementation of a new search capability designed to display a directory of approved vaccines available in a user’s geographic area, alongside detailed information regarding each vaccine. This feature is initially launching in the United Kingdom, following the country’s earlier emergency authorization of the BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The company states that the functionality will be expanded to additional countries as their respective health organizations grant vaccine authorizations.

This feature will be prominently displayed at the top of Google.com search results when users inquire about COVID-19 vaccines, presenting verified information in a dedicated box above the standard search listings, with a link back to the relevant health authority. The information panel will incorporate two distinct tabs. One tab will provide a comprehensive overview of the vaccine, appearing above the “Top Stories” section and linking to both local and national resources, such as official government websites. The second tab will curate news coverage specifically related to the vaccine in a separate area.

However, a separate division of the company, YouTube, experienced issues with the dissemination of COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories throughout the pandemic. While YouTube prohibited “medically unsubstantiated” content in April and previously banned conspiracies linking COVID-19 to 5G technology, it did not ban misinformation concerning COVID-19 vaccines until October. Essentially, the platform did not proactively establish a policy to address all forms of COVID-19 misinformation, instead waiting to tackle the spread of anti-vaccine content until vaccine approvals were anticipated. Consequently, videos containing false claims – such as assertions that vaccines would be fatal, cause infertility, or involve microchip implantation – were not officially subject to YouTube’s policies until October.

Furthermore, even after the ban was implemented, research indicated that YouTube’s moderation systems failed to identify a significant number of anti-vaccination videos.

This represents an ongoing challenge for the video platform. YouTube has consistently struggled to effectively address anti-vaccine content, and has, at times, even permitted videos containing prohibited anti-vaccine material to generate revenue.

However, this statistic also illustrates the extensive volume of videos being published by YouTube creators concerning the pandemic, frequently based solely on personal opinions.

Google reported that it has removed more than 700,000 videos containing dangerous or misleading COVID-19 health information to date. However, if the platform were subject to regulation, the decision regarding the removal of videos with harmful information, the definition of misinformation, and the penalties for creators would not rest solely with Google.

The company also emphasized its efforts to support YouTube creators by connecting them with medical professionals to produce engaging and accurate content for their audiences, and it has contributed $250 million in Ad Grants to assist over 100 government organizations in running public service announcements about COVID-19 on the video platform. In April, Google provided $6.5 million to support COVID-19 fact-checking initiatives and is now allocating an additional $1.5 million to establish a COVID-19 Vaccine Media Hub.