Search neutrality is a principle that upholds the need for search engine[1] results to be presented without any form of bias, being based purely on relevance. This principle is crucial in preventing the manipulation of search results to favor a certain bias. It shares a connection with network neutrality, aiming to secure equal access to internet[2] services. Implementing search neutrality can be intricate since search engines are designed to deliver relevant results. However, it is viewed as essential in ensuring fairness and objectivity in the digital information landscape. The principle has gained prominence due to legal cases and allegations against search engine giants like Google[3], accused of unfair competition and bias.
Search neutrality is a principle that search engines should have no editorial policies other than that their results be comprehensive, impartial and based solely on relevance. This means that when a user types in a search engine query, the engine should return the most relevant results found in the provider's domain (those sites which the engine has knowledge of), without manipulating the order of the results (except to rank them by relevance), excluding results, or in any other way manipulating the results to a certain bias.
Search neutrality is related to network neutrality in that they both aim to keep any one organization from limiting or altering a user's access to services on the Internet. Search neutrality aims to keep the organic search results (results returned because of their relevance to the search terms, as opposed to results sponsored by advertising) of a search engine free from any manipulation, while network neutrality aims to keep those who provide and govern access to the Internet from limiting the availability of resources to access any given content.