Google: Testing Instant Results?

[best.hands]

If you have been using google for a while now, you must have noticed that when you type a query, there is that sort of like a tool tip popping, suggesting possible queries to make, the autosuggestion feature. Okay, I really appreciate that part of the search. But, this is not about that.

Rob Ousbey, an observer, noticed a testing going on with Google for not just live results but instant! If you are clueless of the difference, it is an instant result that changes as you type your query on the search box, not after you press enter or click the search button. Okay, I know you are crying for the proof, see it here - http://www.ousbey.com/blog/live-upda...search-results

I think this is a good move. However, I am scared about the effect it could possible bring to the SEO community. What do you guys think? By the way, I fail to simulate it. Hmmmmm..

[learn2holdem]

My guess is this is not really useful as the results move too fast while the query changes. But it shows the caffeine effect and their database is faster to achieve that.

[baldidiot]

Whoa, that's crazy! Would it have an affect on the way google reports SERP impressions in GWT?

I'd like to think that the big G would only count an impression for those results that appear on the final search, but what about if somebody amends their search intentionally?

For example, if somebody searches "online casino uk", looks through the results and cannot find what they want so amend the search to "online casino uk playtech", but without hitting enter/search?

What data would we get?

[Simmo!]

As a user I think I'd really like that. As a webmaster, I think I'd really like that

It's good for those people that own longtail terms rather than main terms IMO as it will encourage users to experiment and deliver more niche results. It also means spammy TITLE tags are less likely to get clicked as the CTA becomes ever more important. That has to be good too.

Seems good to me all round unless I am missing something.

[catchingsmoke]

It could also have a negative impact on longtails simmo if people see what they want before they finish typing, not saying that will happen it's just a thought.

Personally I doubt that it could make much difference other than improving usability for the end user.

But who knows it could end up changing the way we think about what the best terms to rank for are, maybe something with a lot of longtails including that phrase at the start of the term could become better than one with more individual searches if you get me. Unlikely, personally I think alot of people will simply ignore this sort of thing.

All depends how end users react.

[LiveCasinoPartners]

I agree with catching smoke. You'll get larger brands first as the query is being types. The long tail keywords will not appear until there ave been many other shorter tail keywords.

I think this will also affect the advertisers impressions performance, generating more impressions per useful search. The "quality" score as far as I know it be lowered.

Seems to me this is bad news for smaller portals and Adwords advertisers.

[dhayman]

Why on earth doesn't Google just stick to core SERPs, and stop with all of these stupid bells and whistles. It is so obvious to me why Google has lost market share to Yahoo/Bing, and why their share price is heading downwards. Is it not obvious ???

Google needs to get back to basics, or they will suffer the same fate that the Roman Empire suffered (nothing lasts forever). Someone needs to kick them in the head, and quick, to give them a dose of reality.

[universal4]

If Adrian is right and this hurts overall performance of Adwords, then Google will likely change this very quickly.

Rick
Universal4

[best.hands]

Whoa, that's crazy! Would it have an affect on the way google reports SERP impressions in GWT?

IMO, It could possible affect the impression report. But, I think Google is wise enough to employ timers to separate impressions from not impressions. Google has been giving users details about how much time it took before they come up a listing as a response to a query. I am referring to the details that can be found below the search bar right after you press enter or click search. Ex. About 165,000,000 results (0.13 seconds)

If on average google takes 10 seconds before coming up a list of results, then with this instant result feature, they could set 10 seconds as a marker between impressions and not impressions, however if a click on any of the links in the instant result happens immediately after the last character typed, then it should be impressions for every other links on the results, while conversion for the clicked link.

I just hope Google still saves something for the SEO community whenever they put this interesting feature live.

[hakank]

I experienced this in IE8 today. Spooky! LOL

Here's the link to what it is: http://www.google.com/instant/#utm_c...utm_source=rpp


/Hakan

[TanyaEverest]

This instant thing honestly gives me a headache. I know Google needs to stay fresh and with the times, but a good old fashion search button is really all that's needed.

I did find a pretty funny article at Mashable about Google Instant called Google Instant Doesn’t Like Your Sexy Searches. Apparently Google has made the decision to exclude "dirty words" from Instant Search, ie. I can search "Dick Tracy" without being lead on a much different, possibly more popular search.

[RayUK]

You can turn it off (there is a little 'instant is on/off' drop down just above the 'safe search is on/off' drop down). Not thought about what it might do for long tail search traffic for portals but as a user I hate it. The flickering of the page as I type is really annoying and it also has the 'arrogance' thing where it decides I don't want to search on the phrase I have typed but instead on the phrase it thinks I should be looking for. Which is always wrong. Just f*** off google and let me search for what I want.

[catchingsmoke]

yer, it's come onto the .co.uk as well today noticed it on the .com yesterday, have to say I don't like it personally

and the flashing is annoying.

can you say epilespy lawsuit :P

[casinogod]

I experienced this in IE8 today. Spooky! LOL

Here's the link to what it is: http://www.google.com/instant/#utm_c...utm_source=rpp


/Hakan

I just heard about this on the radio today, thanks for the link was a bit weird. I guess it makes search a bit more fun, and people might well go visiting results they had no interest in before and then go back and search again to find what they actually wanted and if that means more clicks and google manage to fit in more ad's well that means mroe money for them so I can see why they are doing it.

[matted]

I'm not a fan... But I am not the typical web surfer (as I am learning in my marketing efforts).

This may sound silly, ut I feel like I'm wasting cpu cycles or bandwidth somewhere having a new query for each keystroke.

[AlexJC]

This has just become live on Google Chrome today, I have to say I understand that Google are trying to be innovative but I found it quite distracting having the screen underneath where I am typing constantly changing as I type my search term.

On my work PC the terms I search will have a trend following my role. I'm not very technical so I don't understand the in's and out's of how this new tool will work but does any one know if Google will remember the trends I have searched previously, so that when I search again there aren't as many changing results on my screen as I type?

[dhayman]

My 2 cents - Google is starting to lose market share to its rivals, and overall search is down about 15 %, due to mobile apps taking the share away. They are looking for gimics, or anything (in their mind) that may improve the bottom line. Personally, I think that they are really starting in Google headquarters. They really should resume focus on what got them on top - meaningful search results. They have really lost a lot of credibility in that area over the last couple of years.

[ALEX777]

I think they must turn it off by default. Good idea but only as an option, not for default searches.

I'm wasting cpu cycles or bandwidth somewhere having a new query for each keystroke.

Yes Not Eco friendly at all.

[sg]

I think google is not putting this as a auto on every where other than USA...

I have few articles for the same and found this will be active in USA and few other countries..

[RayUK]

I think google is not putting this as a auto on every where other than USA...

I have few articles for the same and found this will be active in USA and few other countries..

It is fully 'on' on google.co.uk as well as .com, not sure about anywhere else yet but it will get there I daresay. Google aren't exactly known for backing down on changes they implement - popular or not! (Anyone else hate their new image search?)