Offensive Image on Search For Michelle Obama Pictures Prompts Explanation From Google

Whatever your political leanings, Michelle Obama pictures are normally things of classic beauty and grace. One offensive image is causing quite a stir on Google, however.

In fact, the Internet giant has purchased online ads on its own site in an effort to explain to users why a racially offensive image of Michelle Obama keeps on appearing.

Not only does it show up, it's in the top row of Google Image search results.

The Google ad, titled "Offensive Search Results," tries to diffuse the situation and distance the company from the result, which its own algorithms retrieve. Ironic.

"Sometimes our search results can be offensive. We agree," it reads, going on to explain why certain search results appear, and why they may be so highly ranked.

An offensive Michelle Obama picture (not this one) has Google scrambling.

Interestingly, the same Michelle Obama picture had been taken down by Google in the recent past because it violated its guidelines by serving malware to visitors.

Now, however, the offensive photo, which depicts the First Lady in an extremely, racially insensitive light, is on another site that does not violate Google rules.

And there's nothing Google can or will do about it except explain that it can't or won't manipulate its results. Which, clearly, is why the company is so successful.

Google has taken out explanation-oriented ads for other search terms that may turn up offensive results, including a similar one on Image searches for "Jew."

We haven't posted the full-size offensive image of Mrs. Barack Obama, but here's a screen cap, and you can run your own Image search if you're so inclined.