Did I Break Google? Apparently My Book Is Now Fractured Prune
So today I searched my own book title like a normal, well-adjusted author who definitely does not Google herself for validation.
I typed Fractured Rune.
Google paused. Reflected. Consulted the ancient spirits of autocorrect.
And then gently asked, “Did you mean: fractured prune?”
I appreciate Google’s concern for digestive regularity, but this is a queer epic fantasy, not a cautionary tale about fiber intake.
Honestly though, this feels like a rite of passage. If your book hasn’t been aggressively rebranded by an algorithm yet, are you even an indie author? Somewhere in the data mines, Google has decided my destiny lies not in mythic fantasy, but in the produce aisle.
For the record, Fractured Rune releases on the 20th, and I’m currently giving away three copies on my website. Come for the gods, magic, and queer chaos. Stay because I promise zero prunes.
Comments
At Least
It will be a 'Regular" story.
You did not so much break it . . .
. . . as reveal it. In all its AI-enshitified splendor.
Congrats on the book!
— Emma
You made me smile
Decades ago, I was visiting my mother and she asked me to g to the store for her. She pressed a coupon in my hand for boxes of prunes at 50 cents each and told me, seriously, that I should get as many boxes as they would let me have because she ate five of them every single day.
"Five boxes of prunes a day?" I said in just as serious a voice. "Mom! There's wanting to be regular and then there's needing to warn the neighbors about possible explosions!"
That got a laugh out of her, and she didn't laugh easily any more so it remains a bright memory for me. Thanks.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
I get these as well
I get these on DDG as well as google. I look at the question and think, "No, I didn't, you stupid $%*!?$! If I'd wanted that I'd have asked for it."
Another one is, when I have to put quotes around a query because it persistently misunderstands what I want without the quotes, and then says "Did you mean" ...and gives my exact query without the quotes!
I don't get the logic of people who purport to be clever program designers who then add cr*p like this.
What is even worse, in my view, is that they ask you a question and give you no means to reply to it!
Dogs have owners; cats have staff. Grand-daughters have minions.
Searching without AI
is fairly easy.
For starters, FORGET GOOGLE, FOREVER.
Use DuckDuckGo but not the normal URL.
Use this one:-
noai.duckduckgo.com
Enjoy...
Samantha.
I use many
I already use multiple search engines and generally avoid Google. That said, for publishing, it’s still important to know how my work appears to potential readers for SEO purposes.
Have a deliciously devious day,
FORGET GOOGLE
I concur. Google is a data minor. I tried the same search on DuckDuckGo and it was a mixed bag, mostly "Broken Rune" with "The Fractured Prune Doughnut." But it didn't ask, "Did you mean?"
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin ein femininer Mann
Not only AI
Some seven years ago, that is before the new AI systmes,,I did a search for an author on Amazon (I've stopped using them since). I wrote in the name , ending with O,The system came up with "Showing results for (name ending with i). Zero, zilch, nothing. presented. I could also click on Did you mean (the name ending with O)? I.e. what I actually had asked for. Once I did that I got more than 50 relevant entries.
So don't blame, only, AI.
Worked for me just now
It included the book as well as a number of other things including the prune query (sorry the formatting is a mess)
Did you mean: fractured prune
AI Overview
Fractured Rune – Daniela A. Wolfe
A "fractured rune" refers to several fantasy concepts, most prominently in games like Elden Ring (where breaking one opens new areas and affects quests) and Last Epoch (related to crafting powerful gear like the Fractured Crown). It also names a specific fantasy novel, Fractured Rune, by Daniela A. Wolfe, featuring queer themes, magic, and rebellion. In essence, it signifies a broken magical symbol, often with significant plot or gameplay consequences.
In Literature
Fractured Rune: The Aeldstorm Saga Book 1: A queer fantasy novel by Daniela A. Wolfe about a trans protagonist, magic, identity, and fighting oppressive forces, set in a world with "Aeldstorms".
Search Engines Can And Do Mess Up Describing A Marble
It's an excellent idea to search for one's own works. Not only to find where the story may be or may not be in the search engine listing, close to the beginning or buried dozens or hundreds of pages deep, also possibly copied illegally. Some times hard to find the illegal listing when the author's name and title of the story has been changed. Searching selective story lines may bring to light one's own story. Then the not so much fun may begins trying to shut down the internet provider.or the theft.
Hugs Ms Wolfe, I pray you and all authors who have stories posted on the net happiness as writers and appreciative readers.
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
illegal listings
Hi Barb,
All of my stories include a device that is unique to those stories and, as such, is searchable. I started using this over a decade ago and have successfully managed a take down on one prolific pirate site (since removed from the net)
It's a shame we have to actively protect our intellectual property but most can't afford to pay someone else to do that for us!
Shiraz