An event called Google Scalability Conference was recently held to present information on the search engine giant Google and to see how the tools and search features that Google uses compares to those of the average individual who performs search queries. Indeed, many similarities exist between the search engine giant Google and its users, but Google is going to be trying even harder to get to the root of what many people are trying to search for everyday. In other words, Google wants its own search queries and search engine crawlers to be able to recognize the search queries of its users. Marissa Mayer was a speaker at this conference; since she recently joined the Google team, it was very fitting that she was the one to be able to give this presentation at the Google Scalability Conference.

One of the first issues that Marissa Mayer discussed was the difference between novice Google users and expert Google users. The main difference lies in the fact that novices tend to string out their search queries, sometimes searching actual questions instead of phrases. On the other hand, experts who use Google actually know what they are doing and search the correct phrase that will bring up the best and most desired results. However, from the time someone starts out using the Google search bar it does not take long for them to become an expert search user. In fact, Marissa suggested that it only takes about 1 month for someone to be completely knowledgeable about how to find something in the Google search engine. That, of course, has many repercussions, the biggest of which lies in Google itself. Because users know how to find exactly what they want, this keeps Google on its toes to be able to acclimate more clearly to the searches of its users and to adapt more quickly to the changing jargon and language that people using when going to Google for information.

Google Design

Many of the researchers at Google have been and are continually looking for ways to make the design and structure of their search engine new and fresh in a completely different way. They want Google to be completely user-friendly, according to Marissa Mayer, and hundreds of studies are
conducted to determine which way is best to have Google users using the search function.

One simple design that Google has decided to use is the simple layout of their website. Their philosophy is that the simple the design the better for Google search users. Researchers at Google believe that when a user is presented with too much information then their brain overloads and it is too much to handle. This is why some of Google's features are more appropriately hidden on their search page instead of scattered about.

Also, Google's researchers have also looked into what makes Google's users more inclined to use the Google search bar. For example, they have tried making the Google default to display 30 results, whereas they have also tried limiting it to simply 10 results on a search page. Not surprisingly, they have found that if users are not presented with many search results on the first page (10 or less) then they will be less inclined to use Google more often. Through this study they were able to conclude that providing 25 to 30 search results per page would be best. But this study did take some work as they also had to take into consideration the speed at which Google could provide such search results. The difference between 1 full second and a half second does make a difference in the wait period for Google's search users.

The Google Revolution

Since Google is so popular with their visitors, the researchers working at Google are now trying to find ways to revamp the system to make it totally unique and different from any other search engine on the internet. One of the ways that this is being done is through the use of personalization. It is thought that if the search engine giant Google knows what you are going to search for and is familiar with your search queries then you will receive better search results in the end. For example, Google already recognizes pretty well that the letters "b&b" more often than not stand for "bed and breakfast" to Google's interface users. The letters "GM" also stand for "General Motors" the majority of time when being searched. Their personalization of Google even more to each user is something that Google will be working on in the coming years to be able to present a fresh and different product for individuals of all types.

All in all, Google and the researchers working to make the search engine giant an even better tool for internet users is something that they dedicate most of their time to. Google will certainly have to live up to users' expectations, though, as people become more used to and accustomed to using a search bar in their daily lives!