Google’s New Web Search Feature: A Game Changer or Just Another Filter?

Google has recently introduced a new feature that allows users to perform a “web” search. This new feature aims to filter out all the additional content that Google typically includes in search results, such as AI Overviews, sponsored posts, and product listings. While this may seem like a step in the right direction, it begs the question: is it really a game-changer, or just another filtering option for users?

The Benefits of Web Search

One of the key benefits of Google’s new web search feature is that it helps independent websites, such as HouseFresh and Retro Dodo, to gain more visibility in search results. These smaller businesses have often found themselves buried under sponsored posts and other content, making it difficult for users to discover their websites. With the web search feature, these websites are now more easily accessible with just one click.

While the web search feature may seem like a positive change, it does have its limitations. Google’s own modules, such as knowledge panels and featured snippets, are not entirely removed by selecting the “web” filter. This means that users may still be presented with certain content that they were trying to avoid in the first place. Additionally, sponsored ads from companies like Amazon and Verkada may still push down organic search results, even with the web search filter activated.

Despite its limitations, Google’s web search feature does provide an opt-out button for users who are frustrated by the company’s self-promotion tactics. It also serves as a way to preserve the traditional search experience of the “10 blue links,” even as Google continues to invest in AI technologies. Google’s Public Liaison for Search, Danny Sullivan, has expressed his support for this new feature and hopes to see it promoted more visibly in the future.

Google’s new web search feature is a step in the right direction for users who prefer a more streamlined search experience. While it may not be a perfect solution and does have its limitations, it does provide an alternative for users who are looking to avoid certain types of content in search results. As Google continues to refine and improve this feature, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the overall search experience for users on both desktop and mobile platforms.