In the realm of sports, Google has been an invaluable tool for connecting enthusiasts with their favorite athletes, providing the latest sports news, and relishing highlights from thrilling games.
However, a glaring disparity persists between the attention garnered by male and female athletes, both on and off the field.
For one individual, a Division I field hockey player, this issue hits close to home. Throughout her career, she experienced firsthand the stark contrast in media coverage and visibility afforded to women’s sports when compared to men’s.
In recent years, Google has been steadfastly investing in gender equity within the sports domain. Collaborating with media outlets and sports leagues, their focus has been on elevating the coverage and prominence of women’s sports. But their commitment does not end there. Google is now taking further steps to enhance how they present information about women’s sports in their search results, reflecting their dedication to bridging this gender gap.
Prominent Display of Women’s Sports in Search
Google has expanded the scope of women’s sports coverage within the information boxes displayed at the top of search result pages. Over 380 leagues are now included, with more than 110 women’s soccer, cricket, and rugby leagues added in the past year alone. This improvement allows users to effortlessly stay updated on their favorite teams’ scores and latest results. Moreover, through partnerships with broadcasters and rights holders, Google facilitates direct access to live streams and highlights from various women’s sports leagues, including the WNBA, UEFA Women’s Champions League, Women’s Premier League in India, and Liga MX Femenil in Mexico.
Enhancing Query Understanding
To address ambiguity in sports-related queries, especially those pertaining to gender-ambiguous terms like “German national soccer team” or “India cricket captain,” Google has made systematic improvements to better interpret such search queries. Their automated systems have been refined to discern the user’s intent and provide more relevant results, thus offering a more inclusive experience for sports enthusiasts.
For instance, when faced with queries that could apply to either male or female teams or players, Google aims to present results for both categories. They have also factored in increasing searches around tournaments and other relevant criteria, enhancing the search experience by featuring women’s leagues and trending events.
Language-Specific Improvements
Google has not overlooked the intricacies of gendered languages such as Spanish, German, and Hindi. They have optimized search results to align with the gender-specific language used in the query. For instance, a search query like “jugadoras de béisbol” (the feminine form of baseball players in Spanish) will now yield gender-correct responses and provide a more comprehensive experience.
Empowering Women’s Sports Coverage
Despite these advancements, Google acknowledges that the web and society at large still exhibit imbalances in the coverage of men’s and women’s sports. As search results are reflective of the content available on the internet, these imbalances may inadvertently surface in search results.
To rectify this, Google is actively collaborating with content creators and news publishers to boost the quantity and quality of media coverage dedicated to women’s sports. A noteworthy partnership with The Athletic involves a captivating content series called “My Game in My Words,” featuring prominent athlete Megan Rapinoe and other NWSL players. The series delves into critical moments in these athletes’ careers, their influence, and their overall approach to the game.
FIFA Women’s World Cup™: A Celebration of Women’s Soccer
With the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on the horizon, Google is excitedly gearing up for the anticipated surge in interest. In previous tournaments, Google Trends registered the largest spikes in search queries related to women’s soccer history, indicating the growing global fascination with the sport. To meet the demand for information, Google is introducing a host of new features on Search, catering to both casual fans and avid followers alike.
The updates encompass easy access to scores, real-time notifications, team following, in-depth statistics, and even a fun-filled Mini Cup Game on Search, enabling fans worldwide to stay thoroughly engaged with the tournament.
READ MORE: Price of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Revealed in India
