Google Search
Google Search desktop results adding site favicons and bolder ‘Ad’ label
DuckDuckGo and other search engines to appear as default choices on Android in Europe
While there’s no doubt that Google is what comes to mind when most people think of a search engine, there are a plethora of other great choices on both web and mobile like DuckDuckGo. Following a silent auction last year, Google has unveiled the search engines that will be presented to Android devices in the European Economic Area.
Doodle for Google 2020 now accepting ‘I show kindness by…’ submissions
Google invites K-12 students every year to create a Doodle for the iconic Search homepage. Doodle for Google 2020 is now accepting U.S. submissions with a “I show kindness by…” theme.
Google Weather festively rings in the New Year [Gallery]
Earlier this year, the Google app weather card was redesigned with themed cover images that match the current condition. Google Weather and the whimsical frog are now getting in on the New Year’s Eve action with a series of 2020 illustrations, depending on your forecast.
TurboTax will no longer hide free tax filing software from Google Search
Earlier this year, it emerged that TurboTax and other tax services “deliberately” hid free filing options from Google Search. The IRS just announced that those companies have agreed to no longer engage in tactics that result in Americans paying for tools when a free option is available.
Google Search adds built-in ‘Watchlist’ to bookmark movies and TV shows
Keeping track of what you’re watching is harder than ever in the golden age of television and various streaming services. Google is adding a built-in “Watchlist” to Search that lets you quickly bookmark movies and TV shows.
NBA All-Star Voting is again exclusive to Google Assistant, Search
Given people’s tendency to search for things rather than enter URLs, Google in recent years has been directly integrated contest voting. Search and Assistant this year are again the official third-party partners for the NBA All-Star Vote.
Google Search AR starts rolling out depth-based object blending/occlusion
Earlier this month, Google AR & VR announced that ARCore phones could detect depth using just a single lens. Object blending is now beginning to roll out in Google Search AR.
Google appears to be burying personal results from Search on Android
There’s a search widget on the homescreen of almost every Android smartphone and, for a long time, it was able to search both Google and the data stored on your phone and in your account. However, it appears that results for the latter are starting to be buried in the Google app as the Search widget hides personal results.
Google Search rolling out ‘smarter’ Top Stories carousel with machine learning
Back in July, Google redesigned the News tab in desktop Search. Looking for current events on mobile is now getting its own revamp with what Google calls “smarter organization” though machine learning and richer article cards.
Google’s Year in Search 2019 recap is all about heroes [Video]
With the year coming to close in a matter of weeks, it’s time for recaps. Following YouTube Rewind, Google today released the annual Year in Search video and 2019’s theme is heroes.
Google tests directly integrating package tracking into Search
When getting a package tracking number, most people today just Google it, as the search engine has long been able to direct users to the correct shipping carrier’s site. Google Search package tracking could soon be directly integrated.
Google Search is now better at finding local places with AI neural matching
Google frequently updates and tweaks Search algorithms to improve the accuracy of results. The latest change is focused on improving Google’s local search results by leveraging an AI-based system known as neural matching.
Google partners with ‘The Game Awards’ for voting through Search
Yesterday, annual fan voting for The Game Awards — a popular celebration of video game creatives and Esports personalities — opened. Google has partnered with the event to bring voting functionality to Google Search.
Google Search now lets you practice pronunciations, adds visuals to definitions
These days, most people just turn to Google Search for definitions and other word-related queries. Google is now adding an experimental pronunciation feature, while definitions and translations are gaining images when contextually relevant.
Google Search tests ‘Clear’ text button on desktop web
Sometimes when you start searching for something on Google, you’ll find yourself searching for a few other things soon after. To help you quickly move on to your next query, Google Search on the desktop is testing a “Clear” button in the search box.
Google Search weather card gets Material Theme, detailed forecast in mobile web
One of the better things about Google Search is the extra information it can tell you without having to click on a specific search result, including a quick rundown of the weather for any given area. On Google Search for mobile web, the weather card has been updated with the latest Material Theme stylings and a more detailed forecast.
Google gets better at understanding natural Search queries w/ ‘biggest leap forward’ in 5 years
Google today announced what it considers to be “one of the biggest leaps forward in the history of Search.” By applying a neural network-based technique known as BERT, the search engine will get better at understanding questions that are asked in a natural, everyday manner.
Google tests Material Theme homepage that highlights voice search
The Material Theme rolled out to Google Search on the web in bits and pieces over the past year. Google.com today is A/B testing a visually notable homepage revamp that also separates and highlights voice search.
Google releases new ‘How Search Works’ video explainer
“How Google Search works” is a perennially asked question, with the query increasingly asked in political contexts. The company has taken steps to publicize and be more transparent in recent years, including a Search Liaison, with the latest being an updated video explainer.
Google․com promotes Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL on launch day
While many pre-orderers received shipments earlier this week, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL officially launches today. Google is marking this occasion by highlighting the hardware on the Search homepage.
Google Books redesigned with Material Theme, more Search integration
One of early Google’s most ambitious projects was to scan the world’s books and make them available online. The project ran into a number of copyright issues, but still exists as Search’s book lookup functionality. Today, the service is getting redesigned with the Google Material Theme.
Google tests redesigned desktop Search results with site favicons, no URLs
Back in May, Google revamped mobile Search results by adding site favicons to each listing. The company is now A/B testing a similar redesign for the Google Search results page on desktop web that also removes URLs.
Google Search Console adds new video performance reports
In recent years, video has become an increasingly important format in Google Search. To help webmasters better optimize performance, the Search Console is adding and expanding two new reports related to video.