all companies now use Google as a form of researching applicants to see what your views align to
If they see people out raving and taking drugs or drunk every weekend they are unlikely to employ you
Also saves them money on an official background check
Yup, many do just the basics, Facebook, Google, etc... We had only 2 applicants for a IT site-support job, one white guy, one black feller.
When we used GOOG to look them up, the black feller was all over Facebook with guns, talking about crimes, promoting the knockout game videos (and laughing) etc...
Not the sharpest tool in the shed.
We interviewed him anyways, he showed up in a sideways ball-cap, pants hanging, and wearing ear-buds.

Lets just say nerdy white feller got the job...