Google Instant is a new search feature introduced by Google in September 2010.

As the name suggests, Google Instant provides instant results; so, instead of returning results after you have typed your search term and hit enter, Instant returns results as you are typing.

In theory this enables users to find what they’re looking for before they have even finished typing their search term. Google claim that Instant can save users 2-5 seconds per search (Google, 2011). Another feature which helps to speed up the search process is smart predictions which suggests additional search terms as you are typing. This also helps users to formulate their search more effectively to find exactly what they are looking for.

Ben Gomes, lead engineer on Google Instant says that only 2% of Google users have opted out of Google Instant, which suggests Instant is a resounding success.

But do these figures reflect genuine success? Frank Reed, owner of FT Marketing, thinks the low opt out rate is mostly due to the difficultly of opting out! The option is not found on the home page and he writes, “In fact, you don’t get the option until the results start to roll in” (Frank Reed, 2011)

So, what do you think of the new Google Instant? Has it improved your search experience or is it just annoying?  Comments below please!