Google has finally accepted that hashtags are here to stay thus allowing users to query hashtags using Google Search starting Thursday.
Well, Google starts accepting hashtags but there is a catch. Only hashtags related to Google + posts can be queried through Google Search. However, that makeover step is not shocking at all because, as we all can see; there is a tiny piece of Google+ in every piece of the company’s product.
The changed search feature is now available for English language users located in the U.S and Canada.
This is how the transformed Google search works: When you punch in #subject, a list of posts in Google+ related to that subject will be shown in the right sidebar. However, Google won’t be highlighting posts from Facebook or Twitter in the sidebar, but links to Facebook and Twitter was placed below the Google+ posts so those hashtags on Facebok and Twitter can also be searched. The catch is that those posted in Google + will be prioritized among all other posts.
Though the links in the Google+ posts are all active and +1s and comments in the posts are visible, users cannot interact with the post right on the search results page because there is no way to comment, +1 and follow the posts without initially going to Google+. It is all in "view mode" only.
The popularity of the newly changed feature is still vague because most users would most probably like to see this new feature incorporated with Facebook and Twitter hashtags. Conversely, this new feature is worth trying for so users can see what it could really do.
This new changed feature is absolutely in favor of content owners as this gives them a drive to use Google+, which is beneficial to Google, and hashtags in their Google+ posts. Nevertheless, the upper right corner of the page is the most important commercial spot and having your link posted there could drive a considerable traffic for popular hashtags.
