We love a bit of search subversion. In this latest story of When Search Goes Bad, the Parents Television Council (PTC) has removed its search function after discovering that it had been used to promote the very same TV shows that the PTC regularly condemn.
The search function at parentstv.org was showing up sponsored links to shows along with the site’s archived content criticising televised sex, violence and profanity during prime time. According to Broadcasting & Cable,
So a search for, say, Without a Trace — a CBS show that has been hit with a proposed multimillion-dollar FCC fine, thanks to PTC member complaints — would yield a list of critical articles topped by a prominent link pitching downloads of Trace episodes so you ‘don’t miss your favorite primetime TV shows on the CBS Network.’Likewise, a search for FX’s Rescue Me would get you the headline “PTC Outraged Over Graphic Rape Scenes on FX’s Rescue Me” — and a helpful link advertising: “Low Prices on Rescue Me. Qualified Orders Over $25 Ship Free.”
Last week, however, the search feature disappeared. Because “the ads frequently listed things that were contradictory to our mission,” explains PTC spokeswoman Kelly Oliver, the “free search service” was removed from the site Nov. 6.
Story via Gawker.