Google Gets Suggestive

Oh Google, you cheeky little engine! Recently, Google evolved its search to make the user experience even more suggestive. When you begin to type keywords into the search bar, the drop down box creates suggestions or hints at what you might be searching for, yet another weapon in Google’s advertising arsenal. Search suggest advertising, which has been in beta for the last several months, is being gradually implemented throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.

During the first few months of testing, Google focused only on one or two search terms, but now they are expanding it to more long tailed search terms. Sponsored links were the first changes that were brought to the search suggest feature, but now there are more major updates that have sharpened the Google tool.

The first of these updates is suggestions on the first results page. This is based on Google’s behavioral understanding of how users refine search terms. For example, if you were searching for “margaritas” and were on the first results page, you can click in the search bar and “how to make margaritas” and “mango margaritas” and “margarita calories” pop up in the suggestion bar. Google is so thoughtful; they are watching out  and counting the calories for us! Thanks Google.

If you have a Google account, then you may find Google’s suggestions giving you some personal attention. If you are signed into your Google account while searching, you may find some searches that you have searched before come up in the suggestions box.

The final suggestion that Google will be making now is based upon navigational search. If you begin to search for a particular site and it is reasonably popular, you will find that one of the first suggestions will be a link to that site. Even though this seems like the whole point of Google in the first place, it didn't always happen the first time. Until now.

These new features are designed to help improve the speed, accuracy and ease for the user experience. Everyone knows that the quicker you find something, the better. Almost anyone should agree that these new features will be useful, but some might find them a little too personal. The placement of the sponsored results could cause controversy and discord for many who value their privacy, but I believe they will get used to this refined approach to search.

Google’s suggestive search will help people find your business with more precision and speed. This can only mean that search engine optimization will be even more important, and your own page content needs to be more relevant than ever. Do you know if your website is search engine friendly? Volacci is the leading Drupal SEO company and very passionate about your online success. By the end of your contract you will have at least as much additional business from your web site as you spend on our services... or we'll work for free until you do.

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