Google product manager Jonathan Effrat revealed in a video today what Google’s new Instant Search is all about. In spite of what seems to be over the top technical magic, the Google spokesman went on to explain how it’s just the use of better retrieval through new software and its ability to sift through the search data stored in their database that makes it happen.
This search will now display results “instantly in a way that has never been done before.” “Now, results appear automatically as you type, with no need to hit enter or click the search button. as soon as you see what you need predicted in gray text, you can stop typing, and just look down to find your results waiting…see results instantly lets you refine your search as you type – looking for a bird? A map? A recipe? You’ll know instantly if you’re on the right track to finding what you want.”
Google has re-engineered their famous simple search web form using a web application called AJAX which they claim will speed things up about 3-5 seconds per search.
Instant Search is based on the principle that the eye can scan the displayed results much faster than the fingers can type in the search phrase, so by anticipating what you are likely looking for based on its database of previous searches Google thinks it will have the search you want displayed before you can finish typing … and viola, you’ve just saved 3 to 5 seconds.
Google will be rolling out this new service today in the U.S. and it will become the default search that will appear on the Google search page. Users can still use the old slower search if they want.
