The world’s most popular Internet search engine is about to get much faster and smarter. Google Instant, which officially launched at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday, September 8th 2010, is a powerful new search engine enhancement that speeds up the search process. Instead of waiting .12 seconds for your search results to be displayed, the new enhancement now provides instant gratification!
Google Instant
When a user types a few letters into Google’s search box, Google Instant displays immediate search results as you type. It’s as if the search engine is reading your mind or anticipating your query before you type it. There’s no need to hit that pesky “enter” key any longer. An algorithm anticipates what the remainder of the search query may be and displays popular search results as each letter is typed. Results of the predicted query are displayed in the search box in a light grey color. Ads are also included. Users may also be able to search instantly using the browser address bar.
For example, if a user types the letters “tele” into the search box, the algorithm automatically predicts the user is searching for “television.” Search listings and advertisements for television are displayed unless the user types in other letters such as “telephone.”
Google believes the new Instant will save the average user two to five seconds of time for each query. And if you perform a lot of searches, those seconds do add up.
Google Instant Release
The service is currently rolling out to users in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UK and Spain. Supported browsers include Internet Explorer 8, Safari, Firefox and Chrome. Scroll to search is another feature of the new Google Instant.
And there is good news for mobile users too. Google plans to bring its Instant service to mobile devices sometime in the fall.
Google Instant Disadvantages
While some users may enjoy the new prefetched search results feature, others may not. The results could be annoying and distracting. Users will be able to turn the feature off by clicking the link next to the search results page or by changing the preferences on the Google Preference page.
Google Instant and Search Engine Optimization
And many are wondering what impact Google Instant will have on search engine optimization (SEO) and advertising? According to Google, Google Instant will not impact the ranking of search results and “might increase or decrease your overall impression levels.”
While Google Instant may provide faster and smarter searches and help satisfy our insatiable need-for-speed, it could also forever change the way we search. Time will tell.
Sources:
Google. About Google Instant. Accessed September 11, 2010.
Google AdWords. “What is Google Instant?” Accessed September 11, 2010.
Jace Shoemaker-Galloway - +JaceShoemaker-Galloway is more than passionate about online safety awareness. She has devoted and dedicated over five years to Internet ...
Join the Conversation