Apple and Google News omitted negative Michigan Senate stories

Apple News and Google News each displayed only a single headline about Michigan Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El‑Sayed in their top‑20 morning feeds after Feb. 10, and none of those headlines covered his controversies, according to a Media Research Center (MRC) study that tracked the feeds from early November through July 21 [1].

At a glance

Study methodology and findings

The MRC researchers logged the top 20 stories each morning at 8:30 a.m. ET on a “clean” computer, clearing search histories and cookies to avoid personalization. They searched for “Michigan,” “Abdul,” and “El‑Sayed,” then used sentiment analysis to label headlines as negative, neutral, or positive. Over the tracking window, the feeds presented only one headline each about the Senate race, and neither highlighted controversies such as El‑Sayed’s use of the physician title, his endorsement by Arab‑American political activist Osama Siblani, or his support for Medicare for All, ICE abolition, and police‑funding cuts [1].

The study also identified at least 104 stories from right‑leaning outlets that discussed these issues but did not appear in the top‑20 feeds. The same methodology had previously flagged a similar omission for former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, where MRC claimed Apple and Google failed to surface more than 250 controversy stories, with 69 % of outlets in Google’s top selections being left‑leaning versus just 3 % right‑leaning [1].

Platform responses and broader implications

Apple said its Top Stories are selected by editors and appear the same for every user, while other portions of its Today feed can be personalized. Google disputed the MRC findings, arguing the study relied on a single daily snapshot from one account and did not account for real‑time updates, interest‑based personalization, or location‑based variations [1].

If the feeds indeed suppress negative coverage, voters who rely on Apple News or Google News for a quick news overview may receive an incomplete picture of a candidate’s record, a concern voiced by MRC President David Bozell, who warned that “most Americans don’t search dozens of news websites every day” [1]. The potential bias could influence primary outcomes, especially in close races like Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary, where the field has narrowed to El‑Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens [1].

What to watch

• Further methodology scrutiny: Additional independent analyses of Apple News and Google News feed composition could confirm or refute MRC’s claims.
• Platform policy updates: Any changes to editorial selection criteria or transparency disclosures from Apple or Google may affect future coverage.
• Election timing: As the Michigan primary approaches on Aug. 4, monitoring whether new negative stories appear in the top‑20 feeds will indicate whether the alleged suppression persists.

The dispute highlights a broader tension between algorithmic news aggregation and the need for comprehensive political coverage, leaving open whether platform editors will adjust curation practices to address perceived bias.