Google Instant, the new onscreen feature of Google’s search interface, is available on google.co.in. It prompts dynamic search results as you type and speed up the search process. It uses a new predictive engine to deliver results based on characters and give real-time query results. According to Google, the feature helps users save two to five seconds for every search query over the standard 15-second search time.
“Google Instant combines dynamic results, auto complete predictions and ‘scroll-to-search’ functionality. This means users get smart, predictive results as they type,” said Ben Gomes, distinguished engineer, Google.
While Google Instant could boost searching on handhelds, since it means less key presses and quicker word search results, the company is not planning to launch the feature on mobile phones. “Mobile instant search is still being close tested by Google. We do realise its potential for markets like India, and we do hope to launch it soon,” said Gomes.
For those using Google from a traditional computer with slower internet connections, Gomes said Google could disable the Instant search on their machines remotely to optimise the search experience. Since its initial release last month in the US, Google has extended the feature to Google Books, Videos, Blogs and Updates and even launched keyboard shortcuts to help users navigate through search results.
Now, Google Instant only works on the Google homepage and results page, not in other places such as web browser’s search boxes, the Google Toolbar, and even the Chrome Omnibox. While Google maintains that it is looking to speed up search for web users, some analysts argue there has to be a solid commercial reason to do so.
Google India’s head of product, Vinay Goel, has denied any near-future possibilities of sponsored search queries in Google Instant Search. He said, “We do not think that our marketers or Adword campaigns will be affected with Google Instant Search as the endeavour of Instant Search is to deliver accurate results to the user. This, in return, means ability to serve targeted ads to users.”
While Google’s official line is that Google Instant does not affect the underlying algorithm of paid search ads in any way, they go on to say in their official blog post that it “changes the way we think about [ad] impressions.”
