Thousands of Scots are experiencing odd results when entering searches in their native Gaelic language.

“Google Gaelic” – the Scottish language version of the search engine is delivering results in English on certain search queries made in the Gaelic language and this, it appears, is causing confusion amongst thousands of searchers.

The ‘bug’ occurs when a user enters the Gaelic word “Seo”  into the search field. 

Seo means “this, or here” in Gaelic and is commonly appended to the end of sentences, however  it appears to be fooling the Google language filter. Results are being returned in the English on Search Engine Optimisation or SEO.

Screenshot below shows Google’s language filter returning search results in English as opposed to Gaelic.

See filter in action here 

Scots internet guru Angus MacHochs said “It’s very confusing. Lots of times when I searched for stuff in my native native tongue all I got was results on “SEO Companies” promising “number 1 positions on Google”. You’d think with all Google’s millions they would get simple stuff like this right”.

A  group of Scots  intend to use Euro rules to protect the ancient Scottish word from the inferior version currently being used on internet search engines.

SEO Scotland written on Scottish road sign

If successful it will be known as Scottish or Scotch SEO and it will have to be produced by Scottish SEO Companies.

The word “Seo” has been used in the ancient Scottish language since AD410 but the recent adaptation by internet geeks is causing confusion claim the group. As a result they are now seeking to have internet search engines redesign their algorithims and replace it with the original Scottish word.

Spokesperson Hamish MacHochs had this to say “Not a single day goes by without our inboxes being flooded with emails from internet marketing companies selling us “SEO” and promising number 1 positions on Google. You have no idea how confusing this can be.

He added “It’s even got to the stage where these computer geeks are taking pictures of our road signs and putting them on the internet!”

SEO Origins

The word “SEO” has long been synonomous with Scotland. Video website YouTube displays numerous clips of the popular 70s Gaelic BBC TV programme “Can Seo” where the word can be witnessed in teachings.

Experts agree.

Experts also back the group’s campaign for ownership of the word.

In Europe, the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) scheme grants certain products such as scotch mist, tartan, haggis and the thistle with “Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)” status.

Scottish Euro Studies expert, Professor Carmel Waiver explained ” A PGI identifies a product as originating in a particular area or country”

“Take the Arbroath Smokie for example. You can only call it an Arbroath Smokie if you smoke it within a five mile radius of the small Scottish fishing town of Arbroath. Similarly Gorogonzola cheese can only be labelled as Gorgonzola if it is grown in the small Italian town near Milan”.

He added “Since the word “SEO” originates from the Scottish Gaelic language then by default,  internet “SEO” services should only be performed by an SEO Company within a certain radius of Scotland”.

Experts believe the search engines themselves set the precendent. The Google search engine provides language specific search versions such as google.fr (French) and google.de(German). Therefore a Gaelic version of Google could very well be on the cards.

The benefits for the Scottish economy could be huge, boosting tourism, haggis and whisky sales as SEO companies from accross the globe flock to relocate in Scotland to offer their services.

The bid could also spark claims from similar groups such as those seeking to enforce pronounciation of the word Niche as “neesh” rather than the incorrect “Americanised” pronounciation of the word as “nitch”.

At time of writing it was rumoured that an Australian group was seeking recognition as the inventor of the Deep Fried Mars Bar.