Google Aims To Help People Understand, Benefit From Search

Google is launching an improved protocol to help people better understand how search works so they can find the answers on the web they need, according to a blog post on Google.

“Every day, billions of people come to Google to search for questions big and small. Whether it’s finding a recipe, looking for a local coffee shop or searching for information on complex topics like health, civics or finance, Google Search helps you get the information you need — when you need it,” according to the post. 

See also: Free Ads Coming To Google Search

Part of that, the Silicon Valley search giant said, is making how search works, “open and accessible.” To that end, the company is moving towards more transparency and launched a new website that reveals how search operates and what happens under the hood to serve up the data people are seeking.

Google said in the post that it understands that many of the topics people are looking for information about might seem “complicated” and it is striving to make it seem less so while also giving users a better understanding of how Google Search works. 

Read more: Google Integrates Food Ordering Into Search, Maps

The redesigned “How Search Works” website is aimed at offering an explanation about the ins and outs of search and how the company looks at the “big, philosophical questions,” according to the blog post. The newly-launched site also goes into “the nitty-gritty details about how it all works.”

The website was initially rolled out five years ago to assist millions of users in a better understanding of Google Search and how it operates. With the recent update, navigation is intended to be easier, along with offering new information and links, as well as an updated frequently asked questions section. 

“The website gives you a window into what happens from the moment you start typing in the search bar to the moment you get your search results. It gives an overview of the technology and work that goes into organizing the world’s information, understanding what you’re looking for and then connecting you with the most relevant, helpful information,” according to the blog post.

Further reading: Google Makes Search More Shoppable

Also on the new website are details that cover how Google’s ranking systems work, as well as how the index goes through other factors such as meaning, relevance, quality, usability and context, according to the post.