Google has insisted its algorithm is applied “universally” to all types of news organisations after Mail Online’s publisher complained its search visibility was consistently cut over six years.

The tech giant said its news algorithms are not designed to influence ranking depending on what a website’s point of view is on certain issues and that none of its systems aim to assess a publisher’s ideological or political leanings.

The tech giant said its search results will include stories taking differing positions on a topic as it defended its stance that it does not make editorial decisions in a letter to peers.