Smartphone with human face pondering sex questions.

Navigating Intimacy in the Digital Age: What Happens When You Ask Google About Sex?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the curious trend of seeking sex advice from search engines and AI assistants, and how these digital consultations stack up against traditional sources."

In today's hyper-connected world, where smartphones are practically extensions of our hands, it's no surprise that we're increasingly turning to digital assistants and search engines for answers to our most pressing questions. From the mundane to the deeply personal, these technologies have become our go-to source of information. But what happens when we start asking them about sex?

A recent study set out to explore this very question, investigating how well AI assistants like Siri and search engines like Google handle queries related to sexual health and intimacy. The findings offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolving ways we seek and receive advice on matters of the heart and body.

The research highlights a significant shift in how people approach sexual health, with online platforms becoming increasingly popular resources. However, it also raises important questions about the accuracy, reliability, and potential biases of the information provided by these digital sources.

Dr. Google vs. Dr. Siri: Who Gives the Best Sex Advice?

Smartphone with human face pondering sex questions.

The study, conducted by researchers in New Zealand, involved posing 50 common questions about sex and sexuality to both Google's search engine and Apple's Siri. These questions, inspired by the UK's National Health Service (NHS) website, covered a wide range of topics, from basic sex education to more sensitive issues.

The results revealed some striking differences in the quality and nature of the responses provided by each platform. Google's search engine emerged as the clear winner in terms of providing accurate and comprehensive information. It delivered good or excellent answers to 72% of the questions, drawing from a broad range of sources across the internet.

Google Assistant: Provided good responses to 50% of the questions.
Siri: Lagged behind, offering satisfactory answers to only 36% of the queries.
Unanswered Questions: Google left only 8% of questions unanswered, while Google Assistant failed to answer 12%, and Siri a significant 36%.
Source Material: The internet search often directed users to professional sources like the NHS (48% of the time) or expert sites like Wikipedia (14%).

The study also highlighted the types of questions that each platform handled well. For example, Google consistently outperformed Siri in providing answers to basic questions about sex, such as "How does sex work?" and "How do I use a condom?" Google also excelled in offering practical advice, such as "Where can I get condoms?" and "How do I get emergency contraception?"

Navigating the Digital Landscape of Sexual Health

While digital platforms can be valuable resources for sexual health information, it's crucial to approach them with a critical eye. Not all online sources are created equal, and the accuracy and reliability of the information can vary widely. It's essential to seek out reputable sources, such as healthcare providers, trusted organizations, and evidence-based websites, to ensure that you're getting accurate and reliable information.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s41906-018-0469-x, Alternate LINK

Title: Fragen Rund Um Sex? Frag Doch Dr. Google Oder Dr. Siri!

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Pflegezeitschrift

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: De

Published: 2018-03-10

Everything You Need To Know

Why are people increasingly consulting Google and AI assistants like Siri for sex advice?

Smartphones have become integral to daily life, leading people to seek information on various topics, including sex and relationships, from readily available digital sources. This shift reflects a broader trend of leveraging technology for convenient access to information and advice, though the reliability of such sources varies considerably. Therefore, people are leveraging Google and AI assistants for information because of their convenience.

In the study, how did Google and Siri compare in providing answers to questions about sex and sexuality?

Google's search engine provided good or excellent answers to 72% of the questions posed. Google Assistant provided good responses to 50% of the questions. Siri offered satisfactory answers to only 36% of the queries. Google left only 8% of questions unanswered, while Google Assistant failed to answer 12%, and Siri a significant 36%.

What types of sex-related questions did Google handle well, according to the study?

Google excelled in providing answers to basic questions about sex, such as "How does sex work?" and "How do I use a condom?". Google also excelled in offering practical advice, such as "Where can I get condoms?" and "How do I get emergency contraception?"

What kind of sources did Google use to answer the questions related to sex and sexuality?

When answering questions about sex and sexuality, Google's search engine often directed users to professional sources like the National Health Service (NHS) 48% of the time. It also used expert sites like Wikipedia (14%) as a source of information. This indicates a reliance on established and authoritative sources for providing information on these topics.

Given the study's findings, what precautions should individuals take when seeking sexual health information from digital platforms like Google and Siri?

While digital platforms offer valuable resources, individuals should approach them with a critical eye. Not all online sources are created equal, and the accuracy and reliability of the information can vary widely. It's essential to seek out reputable sources, such as healthcare providers, trusted organizations, and evidence-based websites, to ensure that you're getting accurate and reliable information. Cross-referencing information from multiple sources and consulting with healthcare professionals can further mitigate the risks of relying on potentially inaccurate or biased digital advice.