We’ve all turned to Google for answers, whether we’re trying to figure out what’s wrong with the washing machine, look up an unfamiliar phone number, or settle a random question that popped into our heads.
But not everything belongs in a Google search. Some searches can lead you to scams, expose personal information, or send you down a rabbit hole of misleading advice. Sometimes, the first result isn’t the safest or most reliable.
Here are seven things you should think twice about Googling.
1. Your Personal Information
You might be curious what information is available about you online, but don’t enter sensitive details like your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card information into a search bar. Search engines aren’t secure places to submit private financial information, and they may save your searches in your account history.
If you’re checking financial information, it’s safer to go directly to your bank’s official website or app rather than entering private details into Google.
2. Medical Symptoms That Have You Worried
We’ve all experienced an unusual symptom and immediately turned to Google to figure out what it means. Unfortunately, searching for something as common as a headache or stomach pain can lead to frightening explanations that have little to do with what’s actually happening.
Reputable medical websites can provide useful information, but search results can’t account for your medical history or determine what’s causing your symptoms. If something concerns you, a healthcare professional is a more reliable source of guidance.
3. Customer Service Phone Numbers Without Checking the Source
Need to contact your bank, airline, or internet provider? Searching for a customer service number can sometimes lead to sponsored listings or fake websites created by scammers pretending to represent legitimate companies.
These scams can be surprisingly convincing, with fake representatives asking for account passwords, verification codes, or payment information. Getting contact details directly from a company’s official website or app is generally safer than trusting an unfamiliar search result.
4. Ways to Make Easy Money Fast
Searches promising quick cash, guaranteed investment returns, or ways to double your money can attract questionable financial offers and outright scams. Some websites market risky investments or fraudulent opportunities as easy solutions to money problems.
Be especially skeptical of anyone promising guaranteed profits with little or no risk. Legitimate financial opportunities rarely come with those kinds of assurances.
5. Free Downloads of Paid Software or Movies
It’s tempting to look for a free version of expensive software, a movie, or another digital product you’d normally have to pay for. Unfortunately, some websites offering unauthorized downloads hide malware, unwanted programs, or phishing attempts behind their download buttons.
What looks like a harmless download could compromise your device or expose personal information. Official websites, legitimate streaming services, and trusted free alternatives are safer options.
6. Graphic Images You Might Regret Seeing
Sometimes curiosity gets the best of us, especially after hearing about a disturbing event or seeing something mentioned on social media. But searching for graphic accident photos, violent images, or other upsetting content can expose you to material you weren’t prepared to see.
Once you’ve seen something disturbing, it can be difficult to forget. Reputable news coverage is often enough to understand what happened without exposing you to graphic images.
7. Instructions for Illegal or Dangerous Activities
Searching for ways to bypass security systems, create fake documents, or carry out dangerous activities can lead to unreliable instructions, fraudulent websites, or content that puts you and others at risk. Even if you’re searching out of curiosity, the information you find may be misleading or unsafe.
Some websites also use these topics to attract visitors to suspicious downloads or scams. Legitimate educational resources are a better option for learning about cybersecurity, personal safety, or how certain systems work.
