Pop Culture dictionary
Google effect
or the Google effect or digital amnesia
What does Google effect mean?
The Google effect explains how people tend to use the internet as a personal memory bank (i.e., they can’t remember any information on their own without looking it up). It’s sometimes called digital amnesia.
Related words:
Where does Google effect come from?
Scientists looking to explain how the advent of the internet has changed how humans store information coined the term Google effect. According to their research, people may not retain information that they know they can easily find on the internet. Instead, they’re more likely to remember where they found the information, such as an internet site where they can access the information again if needed.
The Isthmus
The Google effect is sometimes referred to as digital amnesia, which is an overarching term that refers not only to pieces of information that can be found on the internet but also information that is accessible on digital gadgets. For example, scientists have found that fewer people retain the memory of phone numbers of friends and family now that they can be easily accessed on cellphones.
Examples of Google effect
Who uses Google effect?
Meme Creator
Quora
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Google effect like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Google effect that will help our users expand their word mastery.