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Google implements lists for health-related queries, aims to help Googlers refine searches

Google improved its search engine once again by aggregating health-related web content to the top of its main page when users search for symptoms.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based Company took to the Official Inside Search Google Blog today to announce how often people search for health information, as well as what the search engine is doing to make the process easier for Googlers.

“Every day, people search on Google for health information. Many of these searches relate to symptoms they or their loved ones may be experiencing,” wrote Chief Health Strategist Roni Zeiger, MD. “Our data shows that a search for symptoms is often followed by a search for a related condition.”

More information is available below.

Google implemented its data in such a way that users will now see a list of related health conditions when they search for symptoms. The results will refine a search and help direct people to the most matched information.

“The list is generated by our algorithms that analyze data from pages across the web and surface the health conditions that appear to be related to your search.”

Google gives a brief example of the new search process in its blog post (as seen in the top image):

For example, if you search for [abdominal pain on my right side], you’ll be able to quickly see some potentially related conditions and learn more about them by clicking on the links in the list.

The list of health conditions you see is aggregated from what’s written on the web about the symptoms you searched. The list is not authored by doctors and of course is not advice from medical experts.

Zeiger said he is “humbled”  by the many people using Google to answer important questions, and the company is constantly working to improve their results—especially for health searches. However, he also clarified that doctors do not author the lists and they are not officiated by medical experts.

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