Google [GOOG] has made a major change to the way their search engine works, as we saw yesterday. As soon as you start typing a search phrase in Google, the results start to automatically appear on the same page without you having to hit the search button.
Google is calling this feature ‘Google Instant‘ and they are rolling the feature out over the next few days to users who are signed in to a Google Account.
Google Instant is a new search enhancement that shows results as you type. We are pushing the limits of our technology and infrastructure to help you get better search results, faster. Our key technical insight was that people type slowly, but read quickly, typically taking 300 milliseconds between keystrokes, but only 30 milliseconds (a tenth of the time!) to glance at another part of the page. This means that you can scan a results page while you type.
How Google Instant Works
The new Google Instant seems to work very well, search results are delivered much faster than before. According to Google, it can save between 2 to 5 seconds per search. This is achieved by predicting the search query and displaying results in real-time as you type. For example, if you start typing “weather in New York,” Google Instant will begin showing weather results for New York even before you finish typing the entire phrase. This predictive technology leverages Google’s vast database and sophisticated algorithms to anticipate user intent and provide relevant results almost instantaneously.
Benefits and Implications
The introduction of Google Instant has several benefits. Firstly, it enhances user experience by reducing the time spent on searching. This is particularly useful for mobile users who may find typing on small screens cumbersome. Secondly, it encourages users to explore more search results, as they can see different options as they type. This could potentially lead to more informed decision-making.
However, there are also some implications to consider. For instance, the real-time nature of Google Instant means that search engine optimization (SEO) strategies may need to be adjusted. Websites that rely heavily on specific keywords might find that users are directed to different results based on the predictive text. Additionally, the feature could impact advertising revenue, as users might click on fewer ads if they find what they are looking for more quickly.
Google has also emphasized that Google Instant does not affect the ranking of search results. The results are still based on Google’s existing algorithms, but they are displayed more dynamically. This means that while the user experience is enhanced, the core principles of search ranking remain unchanged.
Check out what Google has to say about it in the video below.
via TFTS
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