You may have seen some strange behaviour when searching Google over the last few weeks – some users have been reporting that Google is actually updating search results as they type.
This feature has been spotted by searchers all over the world and it seems to depend entirely on what data centres users are hitting as to whether or not they see it. No refreshing is necessary, the page will update automatically with its suggested results based on what you’re typing. This can be seen as something of an expansion of the search suggestions which drop down as you type into the search box and a Google spokesperson has confirmed that this feature is being tested in the ‘wild’.
Members of HP Group’s award search engine optimisation team have spotted this at various times over the last few weeks and it has been sighted by a fair few search bloggers as well, including Rob Ousbey who recorded a video, which we’ve included below.
Although this is definitely an interesting approach to search, how likely it is to become a permanent fixture of Google’s functionality is debateable. Although it’s easy to see a use for it from a user’s perspective, the increased server load and bandwidth usage could prove to be a major stumbling block in making this a standard part of the search experience.
Related posts:
It’s called streaming, I’m quite sure it can be turned off and on with a key command when searching whilst logged into a Google account.
It’s a pain in the ass! dumb idea, makes me feel a little nauseous when all those subliminal like flashes are going on!
I’m quite sure that if they keep it up there will be lawsuits from epilepsy suffer’s