Review: Google Instant
Yesterday, Google rolled out it’s latest in a string of improvements to their search functionality. Google Instant’s, “most obvious change is that you get to the right content much faster than before because you don’t have to finish typing your full search term, or even press “search.” [It...] helps you formulate a better search term by providing instant feedback.” At first I was impressed. Then, I realized this is nothing new.
To balance out the “feelings of euphoria and weightlessness,” here are some reasons why users should to come back to Earth:
1. Apple already provides a similar function in I-Tunes. Keybordr does the same thing online. Even my local I.T. Department added a JavaScript snippet to Sharepoint that does the same thing. If state government can do it it’s not cutting edge.
2. This approach is less feedback than filter driven. There aren’t any new additions. It just lets you manipulate search results quicker.
3. Filtering is a tacit acknowledgment that Google is starting to run into the limits of their “keep it simple strategy.” Once upon a time they owned the competition using a single search box and awesome algorithms. This ain’t that. I can’t say for sure, but my suspicion is that the search giant is running into the limitations of using a math and page ranking approach. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be moving away from a proven formula.
4. From a usability standpoint, Google Instant’s immediate feedback annoys some users. Especially the core ones who prefer a simple interface.
5. You can’t filter “improper” search terms? I’m an adult! What about censorship? Besides, I thought that’s what the “safe search” filter was for.
All-in-all, I’m pleased with the changes they’ve made. Given some of the hype out there, though, these points sum up exactly what Google Instant is: a nice tweak. We aren’t seeing anything new, it’s not special, and it certainly isn’t a fundamental breakthrough.
Bricks in the Wall: 5.75/10.
