Google is not usually known for being publicity shy, but one recently added feature introduced by the search engine giant has certainly been flying under the radar, as such. The feature in question has not yet been given a formal name by Google, but it can be accurately described as delivering precise search results based on a user’s location. The company finally got round to offering a presentation on the amazingly accurate function during the SMX Paris search marketing event.
Behshad Behzadi, who is Director of Conversational Search for Google, used an afternoon presentation on the future of search on 9th June to showcase the location search function. It allows users to request information from Google on – to use three examples – buildings, landmarks and businesses in the area around them, but without actually having to use any of their names. From inside the Paris conference centre, Behzadi asked the question, “How long is this river?” Google Search located him as being near the River Seine and produced a search result on its length. Behzadi also amused his audience when he said, “Call this conference centre.” Google correctly identified the conference centre and made the call.
Behzadi also used two promotional videos to demonstrate the effectiveness of the function. In the first video, a man was seen standing in front of a church and asking the question, “What is the name of this church?” Google, identifying his geographical location, guessed the name of the church successfully. The man was also seen standing in front of a closed restaurant; without disclosing his location, he asked the question, “When does this restaurant open?” The search results produced the relevant content on opening hours at the restaurant.
In the second video, a woman was seen standing in a park. She asked for the name of the park, the depth of a nearby lake, and the name of a stream she can see from her location.
The new function was rolled out several weeks ago and is available for both Android and through the Google Search App on iOS.
