In the vast realm of the internet, the humble act of typing a question into a search engine conceals a complex web of technology and innovation. Google, the omnipresent search giant, has navigated these complexities to evolve its Search engine continually. This journey is marked by significant technological breakthroughs as it extends its reach into the African continent.
1. Delivering Quality Results
From its inception, Google has set itself apart by not just finding matching words but by assessing the importance and reliability of the information. The PageRank algorithm was revolutionary, considering how sites interconnected as an indicator of importance. Over the years, Google has adapted to combat misinformation, emphasising authoritative sources and evaluating quality. With data voids and evolving topics, Google now issues notices to encourage cautious scrutiny and provides information literacy tools.
2. Deciphering Meaning
Understanding the meaning behind queries has been a key focus for Google. Early systems relied on simple word matching, highlighting the importance of spelling. Advancements like the Knowledge Graph facilitated a more human-like understanding of relationships between people, places, and things. Language models like BERT have enabled better comprehension of natural language queries across various languages, breaking down language barriers with tools like Google Translate.
3. Understanding Images, Videos, and More
Search isn’t just about text; it encompasses a vast array of information and ways to seek it. Voice search, launched in 2008, made mobile searching more natural, and “hum to search” tapped into melodies stored in your mind. In 2015, Google Lens harnessed computer vision, transforming your mobile camera into a tool for exploring the world. Multisearch, introduced recently, allows text and visual elements to be combined for even more precise results.
4. Spotting and Stopping Spam
Spam is the bane of every internet user’s existence, and Google has diligently applied advanced systems to combat it in Search. New AI-powered techniques have been employed for spam detection, keeping search results over 99% spam-free.
5. Making Search Safer
Balancing access to information with safety and control has always been a core principle for Google, says the company. This commitment is manifested through policy protections that allow people to remove sensitive personal information from results. Google has also taken steps to reduce explicit content in search results and empower individuals to control how their personal information appears in search results, especially for those under the age of 18.
