Science & Tech · AI · 3 hrs ago
Google AI Search avoids saying Biden won the 2020 election
Google’s AI Mode in Search has not directly named Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 US election when asked who won.
Instead, it has told users to check official election resources, and follow-up questions have drawn similarly vague replies.
Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, answers that Biden won and gives more information about the vote totals.
The issue appears limited to AI Mode in Search, rather than affecting all of Google’s AI tools.
Responses have reportedly been more direct outside the US, while users in the US have received vague answers to the same clear question.
Google says it is looking into the problem and working to fix it.
Google’s AI-powered Search feature has been giving vague responses when asked who won the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Instead of naming Joe Biden, AI Mode directs users to official election resources.
The issue was recently noticed by Bluesky users and was still present when the AV Club article was published.
Google said it was looking into the response and working to address it.
The reports say the issue is specific to AI Search; Gemini gives Biden’s name, and responses are more forthright when asked outside the U.S.
- Who
- Google’s AI-powered Search feature.
- What
- It gives indirect responses instead of naming Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
- When
- The issue was recently noticed and remained at the time of the AV Club article’s publication on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- In Google AI Search; the reports say users in the U.S. receive vague responses, while responses are more forthright outside the U.S.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bluesky users noticed that Google AI Search was not directly answering who won the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Google’s news updates account responded to a Bluesky post, saying it was looking into the issue and working to address it.
- 2020 election winner
- Joe Biden
- Affected feature
- Google AI Mode in Search
- Alternative Google service
- Gemini names Biden and provides more context on his votes compared with Donald Trump
- Google response
- It was looking into the issue and working to address it
- Location difference
- Ars Technica reported that AI responses are more forthright when asked outside the U.S.
2 sources
What people are saying
Thanks for flagging—the Gemini app answers this question more fully but this isn’t the most helpful response on Search. We’re looking into this and working to address it.
To verify the results and certified outcomes of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, including the Electoral College tallies, national popular vote counts, and inauguration details, please consult official election resources or visit the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website.