Explicit Search Engine blocking to create competition to improve filtering technology
Completed
If OpenDNS were explicit about blocking specific major search engines, it could create a virtuous cycle where big search engines are competing to be "safe" by properly supporting filtering. If it were known that 80% of OpenDNS users block Google, and not Bing, Google might take notice and correct there technology to reverse this trend. Yes, these stats are totally made up, but OpenDNS is in a position to give this a try. This could be one of the greatest ecosystem changes OpenDNS could impact.
I'd bet that Google Image Search is by far the largest porn site on the planet. Look at the number of forum entries in OpenDNS for blocking it. I'm using Google as an example, but all the others would follow (or lead) to compete.
Specific idea: Create additional Web Filtering Catagories for Google, Bing, Yahoo(?), and then a catch all for the rest. This would allow administrators to have greater granularity based on how well the major search engine supported domain based blocking.
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"If OpenDNS were explicit about blocking specific major search engines"
OpenDNS doesn't block anything by default except phishing and malware domains. This is good as it is.
But OpenDNS users can block and whitelist again what they want with their settings, as you have experienced at
https://support.opendns.com/entries/54562570-Option-to-block-all-search-engines-except-Bing-or-higher-fidelity-search-engine-blocking-
So, it's everything already there, no need for anything else."I'd bet that Google Image Search is by far the largest porn site on the planet."
A very venturesome theory. But why worry, simply block Google with OpenDNS. My concerns about Google are of a different nature...
"Look at the number of forum entries in OpenDNS for blocking it."
Also looked at the usual answers? Google SafeSearch and related tools are the way to go. Or blocking Google as a whole.
"Create additional Web Filtering Catagories for Google, Bing, Yahoo(?)"
Why undergo the complex management of categories of domains if one or a few entries in the "always block" list do the job already?
"This would allow administrators to have greater granularity"
Really? I'm not convinced. I rather see more confusion with most OpenDNS users (which are not necessarily what you would call "administrators"). It's easier to handle things like Google SafeSearch, or to simply block Google as a whole. One can live without them. You even can see their search results if you want without ever visiting them.
"how well the major search engine supported domain based blocking."
My guess: they would be little more than just unimpressed. If I would be Google, I would be unimpressed.
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Clearly, not someone trying figure out what is good in an idea.
rot: "Also looked at the usual answers? Google SafeSearch and related tools are the way to go. Or blocking Google as a whole."
OpenDNS doesn't allow you to block 'Google as a whole.' - that is exactly what I'm asking for.
rot: "Why undergo the complex management of categories of domains if one or a few entries in the "always block" list do the job already?
You can't block Google with just a few entries. What you have stated is categorically wrong.
rot: "Really? I'm not convinced. I rather see more confusion with most OpenDNS users (which are not necessarily what you would call "administrators"). It's easier to handle things like Google SafeSearch, or to simply block Google as a whole. One can live without them. You even can see their search results if you want without ever visiting them."
Again, OpenDNS doesn't allow you to block Google as a whole without blocking ALL search engines. That is exactly what I'm asking for.
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Hello,
You can block Google as a whole with our service. Add "google.com" to your "Always Block" list by clicking "Add Domain" (as shown in the below image) and make sure that your registered IP address is up to date for your content filters to be applied to your network. If you have google.com as always blocked, an updated registered IP address, and your DNS settings pointed to OpenDNS, you'll be blocked from accessing Google.
If you believe you're correctly configured and you're still not blocking anything, open up a support ticket with the results of our Diagnostic Tool, and we'll be happy to help you.
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