Google Inside

Last year, we discussed some Universal Search features such as license information, employee details, and overall keyword search details.

Here are a few screen shots of what the Universal Search used to look like.

Let’s flash forward, about nine months later. Here is what those searches look like today.

Another keyword search that I’ve seen change, in a slightly different manner, is the query “airports los angeles”. Here is what it was almost a year ago.

But let’s fast forward to today. Here is what the search returns today.

Comparing the two, better results? Worse results? For that specific query, yes, I do feel that it provides more relevant results now. But for other queries, such as “employees ibm” or “aol products” or “vanilla license”, they provide less relevant search results now.

Google has stepped forward and taken a step backwards at the same time with their Universal Search. It’s a great idea, but it still needs more tweaking.

If you are interested in reading a little bit more about Universal Search, take a look at the interview I conducted with Bharat Mediratta last week.