Google unveiled a new feature tonight: Google Instant. The change means that Google now serves up search results IMMEDIATELY you commence typing in the search box, as opposed to only serving results when you press the button. It appears to be an extension of their existing suggestion feature, where it would serve up search terms in a drop-down box based on what you’ve already typed in. That still happens, but now, as you type, search results appear and change the more text you input into the search field.  Fans of the ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ feature may wonder what’s happened to that button; the feature is now incorporated into those suggested search terms in the drop-down box. Mouse over the search term and you will see the ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ feature there.

To make use of this new feature you must be signed into Google; those using the standard search page without having a Google account will remain unaffected.  Of course the option can be disabled if you are signed in; it is enabled by default.

Google claim that the new feature will save around two to five seconds per query. For internet marketers, the implications are as yet unknown, but as the existing suggestion feature is often used for keyword research, it’s very possible that this new feature could be used to aid that process along.  I’m keen to see how this changes the rules and how we can get the best from this new tool, and I look forward to trying it out over the coming weeks.

Here is Google’s introduction and demonstration video which explains the new feature:

Give it a whirl and see what you think of it!

Technorati Tags: linkedin