Automated sexism: Google searches reveal misogyny

25 : 10 : 2013 Advertising : UN Women : The Athena Women

Dubai – UN Women is the United Nations body that works towards gender equality and the empowerment of women. Its latest advertising campaign, created by Memac Ogilvy, the Dubai branch of global marketing agency Ogilvy & Mather, uses Google searches to highlight sexism.

The search engine’s predictive text is completely automated – an unbiased algorithm that shows the most commonly searched phrases. When ‘women should’ is entered into the search box, phrases such as ‘stay at home’ and ‘be slaves’ are the first to come up. Entering ‘women shouldn’t’ brings up ‘vote’, ‘work’ and ‘have rights’ as potential search results.

‘When we came across these searches, we were shocked by how negative they were and decided we had to do something with them,’ says Christopher Hunt, art director of the creative team in a press statement.

The resulting posters create a powerful message that the fight for women’s rights has yet to be won.

For more on women becoming a force to be reckoned with, read our Athena Woman macrotrend.

Discover More Daily Signals
Ferrari Luce redefines electric performance through tactile design

Daily Signals

Ferrari Luce redefines electric performance through tactile design

Ferrari has unveiled the interior and interface of its first fully electric sports car, the Ferrari Luce.
Mobility : Luxury : Design
Japan cancels cherry blossom festival amid overtourism pressures

Daily Signals

Japan cancels cherry blossom festival amid overtourism pressures

A major cherry blossom festival near Mount Fuji has been cancelled after authorities warned that tourism pressures were tipping into a civic crisis.
Travel & Hospitality : Tourism : Overtourism
Stat: How different generations are really using AI

Daily Signals

Stat: How different generations are really using AI

A new survey of 3,000 Americans by Edubrain reveals Millennials are the most avid users of AI, with 37% using it daily, compared to 25% o...
Technology : AI : Statistic
Under Armour backs the rise of the women’s sports economy

Daily Signals

Under Armour backs the rise of the women’s sports economy

American athletic brand Under Armour has unveiled Click Clack: The Next Era, a new campaign reimagining its original Click-Clack football advert fr...
Sport : Womens Sports : Football
Levi’s launches Wear Longer Project to teach Gen Z clothing repair skills

Daily Signals

Levi’s launches Wear Longer Project to teach Gen Z clothing repair skills

Levi’s has unveiled the Wear Longer Project, a new education initiative designed to equip young people with practical skills to repair, refresh and...
Sustainability : Fashion : Levis
Stat: Britain’s stiff upper lip still shapes modern masculinity

Daily Signals

Stat: Britain’s stiff upper lip still shapes modern masculinity

A new YouGov study of 4,403 UK adults highlights how attitudes to crying are still deeply gendered in Britain.
Health & Wellness : Masculinity : Statistic
Chevrolet revives its ‘See the USA’ jingle to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial

Daily Signals

Chevrolet revives its ‘See the USA’ jingle to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial

As the US celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, Chevrolet is inviting Americans to hit the road with a new ad campaign that reimagines its icon...
Mobility : Branding : Advertising
How Spotify’s book strategy signals the return of intellectual culture

Daily Signals

How Spotify’s book strategy signals the return of intellectual culture

Audio streaming app Spotify is deepening its push into publishing with two updates designed to make reading more fluid across formats.
Spotify : Books : Technology
Stat: Why skill investment is lagging behind AI ambition in the workplace

Daily Signals

Stat: Why skill investment is lagging behind AI ambition in the workplace

Almost three-quarters (74%) of businesses say they are prioritising investment in technology, data and platforms over spending on workforce develop...
Technology : AI : Statistic
Why James Turrell is designing for awe in an age of attention fatigue

Daily Signals

Why James Turrell is designing for awe in an age of attention fatigue

ARoS Museum of Art in Aarhus will unveil As Seen Below on 19 June 2026, the largest Skyspace artist James Turrell has ever created within a museum ...
Design : Architecture : Art
You have 0 free Daily Signals remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN