Google just supercharged it's search pages today with a boatload of new options and filters designed to better help you find the products, information and media you're looking for.
Beyond simply search
Upon first look, Google's new search seems essentially the same as it has been - at least for the past several years. The standard, 3-column layout is still there; left column contains your options (although it may be closed until you click the 'show options' link just above the search results), the center column continues to show the related search results, and the far right column is for Google's paid ads.
The changes become apparent once you view the left sidebar's options and filters for the search query you've entered. (Note: not all search queries return the same set of options, so you may want to experiment with different types of searches, e.g. iphone, oil spill, movie reviews, etc.) Search for the iPad or Kenneth Cole purses, then click the 'products' option in the sidebar, and you are introduced to a comparitive e-commerce type display, which you can then refine even further with additional filters such as price range, free shipping and specific stores.
For many searches, Google automatically searches the relevant categories and returns 'Universal Search' types (videos, images, news, etc) on the main search page, itegrated within the normal text-based search results. A search for a local business will often return map listings for service providers in your area, for example. With the new search features though, you can do much, much more than just do price comparison shopping.
Covering ALL of the new options available in Google's new search page would take up way too much space for one article, so my recommendation is to simply try it out for yourself. I ran several search queries just for kicks, so I've included some screengrabs of some of it's new features to give you some ideas to get started.
Happy Searching!
Comments