Google's latest search feature named "Google Instant" was introduced recently and this is perhaps the most prevalent change in the usual simplistic interface of Search Engine results pages ever since Search Engines came into vogue for searches. The last time Google was in news with the outcome of Caffeine.
Quick peek into Google Instant
Google Instant is the latest search enhancement that provides you with possible results as you type in the Google Search Box. Google is possibly doing every bit and utilizing its comprehensive technology as well as infrastructure to help its users get the most streamlined results, and that too FASTER. According to the guys at Google, Google Instant will scan and enlist the page result with each character that you type along with showing you the possible long-tail keywords that a user might be looking for.
As soon as you type something on search box, Google bounces back with the possible searches in grey below the Search box and possible links on the search page below, thereby getting you closer to the right content source at a lightning speed (or may be faster). Although, Google claims that this feature will do nothing to your present rankings on the search engine, but there are many who are not taking these claims seriously.
Google Instant- Redefining Search speed
"Google Instant" the name that this feature has been given, says it all. With this feature, Google has definitely redefined the term "Search." Owing to its faster interface, Google promises to save about 2-5 seconds per search for a user. In addition to this, it:
1. Simplifies Search Results- displays relevant search results as you type. Also, you don't need to press ENTER or Return or Search button while searching using this feature.
2. Predicts Text- predicts what you might be searching for as you type on the Search box. The predictions that Google makes are displayed to the user in gray text below the box in continuity to your query.
3. Allows Searches in scroll- Google offers possible search suggestions in a dropdown display-kind of box below your Search box and will display the related links in the page below so you can select them with your 'down' arrow key
Impact on Paid Searches
Google has officially said that Google Instant will, in no-way, affect the algorithm of paid search ads anyhow. However, if you have noticed, they have at a place mentioned in their blog that means that 'change the way we think about (ad) impressions'. If you are an ad manager then it is important here that your ad will be reckoned if:
1.User selects a query from the predicted suggestions
2.User clicks any link on the Search result page
3.User is inactive for 3 or more seconds of time or stops typing
Impact on Long tail search queries
From what we discussed above, one thing is clear; when you search something on Google with Google Instant on, you'll get instant results as well as further search predictions. While it is too early to predict something here, but the use of Google Instant is likely to affect the sites as now the user is less likely to visit the second page of listings.
With the searches become more and more refined, user is less likely to visit the other pages as he is now directly sent to the important content page. Due to this the sites that have nice ranking over the long tail keywords might score an edge over the others as users will keep on narrowing their search until they get what they want.
With the auto-complete feature of Google Instant, search predictions will be passed as the comprehensively predicted long tail keyword even when the user typed partially formulated search phrase.
Apprehensions surrounding LSI's significance
LSI prowess lies in meticulously scanning the relevant documents in the index server at Google, fetching the most relevant results and then returning the same in search engine result pages. However with the advent of Google Instant, presumably, the concept of LSI might be tweaked with as the results of your searches are provided in real-time. This might adversely affect the results as you might just get what you typed for and not anything or everything related to that particular topic.
Although, searchers change their habits with the course of time, it will not be a wise decision on your part to rush out and make alterations in your strategy of work just on the basis of what searchers might do in the future. Let your business grow on facts and solid business data and not over mere speculations.
