Google introduced its latest innovation to its search engine today. Users will now be able to see instant search results in real time as they type in their query. Something that Google is quite appropriately calling Google Instant. One doesn’t even need to hit on the Search button anymore!
I discovered this around 11 am today and at first was astounded to see Google automatically displaying results as I typed. A cheeky message however, that said “Welcome to Google Instant. Feelings of euphoria and weightlessness are normal. Do not be alarmed.” reassured me that I was not being delirious.
According to the official Google blog, following are some of the key features of Google Instant:
- Dynamic Results - Google dynamically displays relevant search results as you type so you can quickly interact and click through to the web content you need.
- Predictions - One of the key technologies in Google Instant is that we predict the rest of your query (in light gray text) before you finish typing. See what you need? Stop typing, look down and find what you’re looking for.
- Scroll to search - Scroll through predictions and see results instantly for each as you arrow down.
Google claims this new feature will save users a good 2-5 seconds per search and if everyone uses Google Instant globally, more than 3.5 billion seconds a day can be saved.
Initially, I found it vexing and many of you will recall, I have been very vocal of Google’s tinkering with their search engine. But the more I am using Google Instant, I am realizing how novel the concept is and the constant transitions of the results are getting less irritating.
Go ahead, check it out for yourself if you haven’t already and join the instant euphoria.
Update: I have been made aware that not everyone is seeing Google Instant. According to Google, it will take at least couple of days for the service to hit all Google users.
Google Instant Ad.
It is a neat idea. But novel? No sir. Apple had already implemented this on there iPhones and iPads (and perhaps their mac books too. i dunno much about the macs).
:)
Hahaha..I reckon I should expect and get accustomed to comments such as this from you now on.
While I am not aware of how it is done on Apple's local systems, I am certain Google is the first to introduce live streaming search results off the vast reservoir of data that is the Internet. This is beyond mere suggestive search results.
And besides, once Google rolls it out for mobile devices later on in the fall...I am sure the iPhone will be first in line to carry it.
What is Google? Is it an iPhone? ;)
haha...no but Google is Big Brother and he is watching you.