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Google has rolled out an experimental feature through Search Labs for Android and IOS users in the US and India. This innovative addition introduces a “Notes” section beneath webpage search results, enabling users to provide comments on the presented content. Highlighted by 9to5Google, Google envisions the “Notes” feature as a platform offering “helpful tips about an article or topic from both experts and everyday people.”
In the latest round of Google updates, search results now prioritize content from Reddit. This was in response to Google’s analysis showing a growing trend among users to include “reddit” in their search queries. The data underscores a preference for concise, human-written answers. While the new Notes feature doesn’t replicate Reddit’s dialogue, it serves a similar purpose by allowing users to quickly gauge others’ opinions on an article.
Google’s new Notes feature lets users share quick tips and insights directly on webpage search results
The introduction of the Notes feature effectively establishes a comment section beneath web pages. Users can now utilize this as a reference point to assess the usefulness of a webpage’s content. Google adds, “Notes might help you uncover tips about which neighborhoods might be best for you in an article about a new city, or how to tone down the spice level on a recipe. Or maybe a baking guide helped you create the perfect color frosting — you can leave a note to help other people avoid first-timer mistakes.”
Crucially, Google clarifies that the Notes feature is not intended to replace existing content or compete with native comment systems. It is designed as a value-adding feature rather than a type of social media platform. Certain restrictions, such as disallowing links and direct replies in the Notes section, aim to maintain the feature’s simplicity.
The Notes feature aims to enhance web pages’ usefulness through human interaction. Users can engage with notes by liking, sharing, and saving them. The engagement data from Notes will be utilized to rank them based on their relevance to search terms.
The Notes feature is part of a Google Labs experimental trial and not a permanent addition. Google will analyze user feedback and assess the feature’s contribution to the platform before deciding on its future. In related news, Google plans to launch a feature in the coming weeks that allows users to follow specific searches and receive updates through app notifications.