Google Blocks ‘Instant’ Results For BitTorrent, Cyberlocker Sites

If you want to use Google to find pirated material online, don't expect help from Google Instant.

The company has altered the feature so that search results related to several popular BitTorrent and cyberlocker-based file-sharing services don't automatically show up as a user types. The move appears to fulfill a pledge Google made last month to stop automatically suggesting search terms “closely associated with piracy.” Obviously, this small change won't stop anyone from running a search for torrent files. But it does mean that just typing in the name of a popular movie like “Inception” won't lead Google to immediately show users results for “Inception BitTorrent,” which was a common occurrence until now. The new system blocks some legitimate search terms, as well. BitTorrent is often used to transfer open-source programs like the Linux operating system; users who type “Linux” into Google won't see a suggestion of “Linux BitTorrent” anymore.