Google Stalking

What Does Google Stalking Mean?

“Google stalking” is a term for looking up in-depth information on someone using the Google search engine on the Internet. Because Google is the predominant search engine that most Web surfers use, Google stalking has come synonymous with getting basic online research on a person, or on any other kind of topic or subject.

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Techopedia Explains Google Stalking

One of the tricky points about Google stalking is the ethics involved. In general, there is no ethical standard for Internet search. However, some people argue that Google stalking may run counter to certain forms of “netiquette” or Internet etiquette that some people think should be practiced online.

Google stalking can also come in many different forms. In some cases, people are just looking for images or clues to someone’s appearance. In other cases, they may be acquiring background information or demographic information such as age, marital status and other personal indicators. In a lot of cases, it is possible to build a much more detailed portfolio of information on someone including current and past addresses and phone numbers, criminal background and family history, as well as a thorough survey of that person’s hobbies and personal preferences. Because Google is a public tool, and there are few restrictions on its use, Google stalking is generally seen as something that is an accepted way to gather information about someone.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…