Google search engine removed one of its features

Back in 2010 Google announced a new feature to its search engine which was ‘Instant Search’, that would automatically populate search results as you type. But now Google killed its feature claiming that most of its searches happen on mobile devices and ‘Instant Search’ does not work on mobile devices.

When Google released ‘Instant Search’, they claimed that it would save millions of seconds of users by providing them with results as they type in the search box. The feature was loved by some but there were others who did hate the feature as according to them it produced enough lag to cost you more seconds then you saved.

Back then Google Instant Search was really worse on mobile devices as the device had to update the page continuously based on what was typed in the search box and keeping in mind the hardware that was on mobile devices back then, it certainly was inconvenient.

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In a statement from Google, they said that the feature was removed to provide a better experience for mobile users and to make Google consistent across platforms.

With the increase in mobile devices all over the world, it is true that most of the searches are on mobile devices nowadays, and keeping that in mind Google decided to scrap this feature of their platform.

A Google Spokesperson while speaking to Search Engine Land said that:

We launched Google Instant back in 2010 with the goal to provide users with the information they need as quickly as possible, even as they typed their searches on desktop devices. Since then, many more of our searches happen on mobile, with very different input and interaction and screen constraints. With this in mind, we have decided to remove Google Instant, so we can focus on ways to make Search even faster and more fluid on all devices.

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Well, you might not even have noticed the feature being missing, and it was certainly not that of a big deal. You can try out for yourself, just type something in Google search box and apart from few suggestions you will not see the text typed populating the search results.

Tell us your views on Google scrapping away Instant Search, would you really miss anything while doing searches on Google. Do follow us on Facebook and Twitter and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter.