Google has found a way to update its search algorithm to work better with longer and more complicated queries than ever before in order to adapt to a more mobile user base that needs quick answers to often complicated or ineffable problems.
The new algorithm, codenamed Hummingbird, is the first major upgrade to Google's search engine in three years. It has already been in use for about a month and affects roughly 90 percent of user's searches.
According to BBC News, Google stressed that a new algorithm is important to users who expect more natural and conversational interactions with a search engine. Now that mobile phones, smartwatches and other wearable tech are making a push to act as individual's personal assistants, users want to be able to talk to their devices in a more colloquial way.
The main focus of Hummingbird is to understand concepts and relationships between them rather than simply using key words. This leads to more fluid interactions.
At a presentation on Thursday, the search and tech giant didn't give many specifics as to what makes Hummingbird work the way it does, but it did show off some of the things that it can now do.
At its core, Hummingbird is better able to understand relationships and concepts. A Google executive showed off a voice search through her smartphone asking for pictures of the Eiffel Tower. After the pictures appeared, she then asked how tall it was. After the search engine correctly spoke back the correct answer, she then asked "show me pictures of the construction" to which Google was able to produce a list of images of the Eiffel Tower when it was being built.
Only time will tell if this new search feature allows Google to adapt to the changing way its users are using the Internet. Gone are the days when people simply wanted the best amalgam of websites to give them their answers, now they'd like a personal assistant to not only give them answers directly, but speak them back to them as well.
Test out Google's new search algorithm and tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
