Google Autocomplete works //

Google’s homepage will most likely have the information you need. This is true regardless of whether you are looking for the weather forecast, a service or business, or if you want to know where that actor originated. Unless you are ” feeling lucky,” then.

Google will automatically populate your search box with a list “predictions” as soon as you type a word or one letter. Autocomplete is a Google feature.

But what is it exactly? What is the secret to Google’s predictions? Continue reading to learn more about Google Autocomplete.

What is Google Autocomplete?

Google Search has an Autocomplete feature that allows you to quickly complete search queries that you are beginning to type.

It was first introduced in 2004 as an experimental function. Four years later, it was fully implemented as Google Search. In 2010, Autocomplete was renamed Autocomplete.

It’s available wherever you might expect to find a Google Search box.

• Google homepage.
• The Google app for iOS or Android
• You can search quickly from within Android.
• Chrome’s “Omnibox” address bar.

Start typing and you’ll start to see predictions.

The screengrab below shows that you can type “new y” into Google to get predictions like “new york Times” or “new York Yankees”.

It is easy to complete your search without having to type all the letters. Each character entered into the search box causes the predictions to change in real time.

The user can then choose to type their query again or select from the dropdown menu.

Google is not required to tell you what you are looking for if you already know the answer.

It saves you time. Although Autocomplete was originally a desktop search tool, it is now a popular time-saver on mobile devices.

Google estimates that it saves over 200 years each day in typing time and reduces overall typing by around 25%.

How Google Autocomplete works

Google Search isn’t able to read minds. Google Search instead makes calculated predictions based on searches performed by real people.

Autocomplete shows common and trending queries that are relevant to the characters you have entered in the search bar.

Autocomplete uses these key factors to predict search queries.

• Popularity overall.
• These are the most popular topics.
• Look back.
• Location.

Simply put, the results you see are affected by the things you’ve searched for previously, the place you’re searching from and the search terms data Google has gathered. Google uses all this data to predict what you’ll be looking for.

Let’s look closer at each one.

Search queries are very popular

Popularity is often a key factor in predicting search queries. Trends can change over time, but one or more subjects may always be closely linked.

Google says that while some searches are more popular than others, less common searches may be displayed above the more well-known ones if Google considers them more relevant. Personalized searches are more popular.

Trending searches

Google Trends is a website that analyses the popularity of search queries across different regions and languages. We all have heard of it. This isn’t what it seems to be.

Trending searches are terms or phrases that have risen in popularity. The query may appear as a suggestion when people search for the same question on Google, even though it isn’t popular long-term.

Google uses the following example as an illustration:

Just before Anna Paquin’s big day, the term “Anna Paquin Wedding” started to appear as a suggestion. It was useful to suggest the term, since many people started to look for it.

If Google had only relied on long-term data then the “suggestion”, as it wasn’t commonly searched for before, wouldn’t have been available in the search box.

Autocomplete is no longer offering the term today because it hasn’t enjoyed enough popularity over time (although “Anna Paquin got married” has remained).

Previous search queries

The topic and question dropdown lists will vary depending on the person searching. Google searches your search history to speed up the search and help you find what you are looking for.

The purple highlighted text in the following example can be seen as an indication that a previous search result has been found.

You’ll see “Remove” next to the prediction on desktop. Click this to delete your previous search.

Mobile is a different story. For previous searches, you’ll see a clock icon to the left and an X button to the right.

You can also delete your searches by date or bulk, or search terms that match particular terms with My Activity within your Google Account. This is regardless of what device you are using to search.

Language and geography

It’s not surprising that different people receive different suggestions from a service that is so personal. The language and location where you are searching can both influence how your search experience.

The country, state, or province can all give you different suggestions, regardless of where you live now or where your origins are.

You may also see different suggestions if you tell Google that you prefer to search using a specific language or based upon the language Google assumes is yours, as determined through your browser’s settings.

Why do some predictions get removed?

Google states that Autocomplete uses “predictions” and not “suggestions”.

This could be because of several legal and controversial claims that Google had made in the past, claiming that it promoted inaccurate and offensive information through certain search queries.

Google dropped “Suggest” from its October 2010 rebranding campaign, as it is not always the most appropriate, thoughtful, caring or appropriate term.

The company prefers “predictions” and is committed improving the service through feedback and monitoring searches.

Autocomplete can also be used to assist people in completing a search that they have intended. Autocomplete provides predictions based upon the query that you are most likely to continue typing.

Although the results are dependent on many factors, Google removes any predictions that are contrary to its autocomplete policy.

• These sexually explicit predictions do not relate to or cover medical, scientific or sex education topics.
• Hateful statements against individuals and groups based on race or religion, sexual orientation, or any other demographics are made.
• Violent and harmful predictions
• Predictions can be dangerous and hazardous.

Google may also remove predictions that are spam or closely linked to piracy . This could be in response to legal requests.

What are the causes of inaccurate Autocomplete predictions?

Google’s systems can automatically detect incorrect predictions but the search engine processes billions daily searches.

There are billions of predictions from billions of searches, so sometimes it is possible for incorrect predictions to slip by the net.

Some predictions can seem strange, surprising, or even questionable. However, sometimes the context is provided by looking at actual search results.

Sometimes, it may be clearer in some cases that the search results may not necessarily reflect bad opinions that some people might hold. Instead, they may indicate that those searching for specific content are seeking out information that isn’t problematic.

Autocomplete might not display predictions for popular searches that were measured using our Google Trends Tool.

Google Trends allows anyone to track the popularity of search terms over time regardless of their search intent.

How to report an Autocomplete prediction that is not correct

You can report any unusual behavior, discomfort, or offense by something you see in the search box.

Long press on the prediction button to access a reporting option for those who search on mobile devices or use the Google app on Android. To access the reporting option, users of the Google app for iOS can swipe to their left.

Google assures users that they won’t remove any prediction reported as violating their policies, but that they also examine closely related predictions in order to find a wider solution and prevent future incorrect predictions.

Autocomplete is not all there is

Google Autocomplete is available to all users and helps them make faster searches and load pages.

Autocomplete is a useful tool that can help you to plan your marketing strategy, find content ideas, research keywords, or investigate search intent.

It is used by search and digital marketers to discover what people are searching for in order to better serve their customers.

Search Engine Land first published the post Google Autocomplete Works.