TL;DR
Several users on Hacker News say Google Search increasingly returns results in their local language and auto-translates content even when queries and account settings are in English. Commenters describe inconsistent options and partial workarounds such as using a VPN to appear located in an English-speaking country.
What happened
A Tell HN poster described that Google Search is delivering localized, non-English pages and automatic translations despite their account, device interfaces and language preferences being set to English. Specific problems reported include English queries that place Portuguese pages ahead of equivalent English sources, Reddit links that are shown in translation rather than pointing to the original English threads, and Google’s “AI mode” producing answers in Portuguese even when prompts are written in English. The search interface reportedly offers a choice between a local language and “All web,” but selecting the latter does not reliably restore original-language results or stop Google’s translation behavior. Other commenters echoed the issue and described using VPNs (for example Mullvad) to route searches through English-speaking countries as a pragmatic but imperfect fix. Several users also noted unwanted redirections to localized versions of technical documentation such as MDN.
Why it matters
- Users who research technical topics in English may miss original sources if local-language results are prioritized.
- Automatic translation and forced redirects can obscure context or lead to incorrect interpretations for technical material.
- Limited effective controls in the UI leave users having to rely on workarounds like VPNs to access desired content.
- Site-specific redirects (e.g., developer docs) can hamper troubleshooting and access to canonical documentation.
Key facts
- Reporter is located in a non-English-speaking country but keeps account, devices and interface language set to English.
- Google returned Portuguese pages for queries written in English, even when English equivalents exist.
- Reddit results were shown as translated content instead of linking to the original English posts.
- Google’s “AI mode” responses reportedly appear in Portuguese despite English prompts.
- Search UI reportedly shows options for “Portuguese” and “All web,” but selecting “All web” does not reliably produce English results.
- Several commenters say Google seems to infer language preference from location or payment methods rather than explicit query language.
- A common user workaround mentioned is routing traffic through a VPN set to an English-speaking country (one commenter uses Mullvad).
- Some users reported being redirected to local-language versions of sites like MDN even when the original English content exists.
What to watch next
- Whether more users report similar behavior across different regions and languages (community reports are appearing).
- not confirmed in the source: any official response or guidance from Google explaining the cause or offering a setting to opt out permanently.
- not confirmed in the source: whether Google will change defaults or add reliable controls to prevent forced localization or auto-translation.
Quick glossary
- Localized results: Search results tailored to a user’s geographic location or regional language, which can prioritize locally hosted pages or translations.
- Automatic translation: System-driven conversion of page content from one language to another without explicit user selection for each item.
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): A tool that routes a device’s internet traffic through servers in other locations, often used to appear as if browsing from a different country.
- AI mode (Search): A search feature that provides synthesized answers or summaries using machine learning models rather than only listing links; exact behaviors can vary by provider.
Reader FAQ
Why is Google returning local-language results when I search in English?
not confirmed in the source
Can I force Google to return only English results?
The source indicates the UI’s “All web” option does not reliably restore English results; some users report using a VPN to appear in an English-speaking country as a workaround.
Is this problem affecting many users?
Multiple commenters on the Hacker News thread reported similar experiences, suggesting it is not isolated to a single user.
Are there official fixes or settings from Google mentioned?
not confirmed in the source
Google Search change in a way that I can’t seem to opt out of. I’m based in a non-English-speaking country, but I regularly search in English, especially for technical topics….
Sources
- Tell HN: Google ignores English searches and forces localized results
- Is Google 'stealing' your international search traffic with …
- How Language Settings Impact Google Maps Rankings
- Google displays wrong language in search results
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