One of the ways that Google has changed over time is how it displays information. In the early days, Google pretty much directed users to websites based on their search, but these days, Google is trying to put everything they can on the front page. In a way, this makes it a lot easier for users to find what they are looking for at a glance.The downside is that it has directed a ton of traffic away from certain websites. More recently, lyrics website Genius has accused Google of stealing its content. Now, if you’ve ever searched for lyrics on Google, you know that sometimes Google can display the lyrics in the search result itself. What Genius did to try and catch Google in the act was by using a series of curved and straight apostrophes in their lyrics.
This was done not randomly, but in a pattern which if you use Morse code, spells out “red handed”. In a statement made to The Wall Street Journal, Genius’ Chief Strategy Officer Ben Gross said, “Over the last two years, we’ve shown Google irrefutable evidence again and again that they are displaying lyrics copied from Genius.”
Google has since come forward with a statement of their own, claiming that they will be investigating the matter. “We take data quality and creator rights very seriously and hold our licensing partners accountable to the terms of our agreement.”