A very post to let you know that we've added a lot more material to our first Google Instant Search overview including several reactions about the new feature
Five Items:
+ 1) This seems odd and perhaps it's the system we're using but with two different browsers we've changed the default number of results (via the preferences page) from 10 to 100. We conducted several searches but could only see ten results. When we returned to the preferences page the default is back to 10. Do others have this problem?
+ 3) Google Operating System includes a post listing seven features that are no longer available (or have been changed) with the introduction of Instant Search. Let's see if they bring any back. One of them is the removal of the search box that used to be found at the bottom of all search results pages. A real time saver. Now, it's scrolling back to the top of the page.
+ Instant Search appears not to work if certain pieces of advanced syntax (site: filetype: is one example) are used. Examples in our first post. The search box will accept the syntax but you'll go back to having to click.
+ 4) Revised (4pm EDT)
Our point with the following info is a simple reminder especially to those of you who teach or help colleagues, friends, family, etc. with web search. In a number of cases to get precise results, clicking the search suggestion or search button is still required. When we were looking at mainstream press reports today several made it appear that clicking is no longer needed to run a Google search.
Entering a ticker symbol or a company name will not always provide the Google feature that provides a stock quote and related info. However, after clicking on the search button or search suggestion button or entering more of the company name they're MUCH more likely to appear at the top of a results page.
Example A: LUV (Southwest Airlines)
When we enter the LUV ticker symbol (and do not click) a stock quote and additional info not is provided using Instant Search. Clicking the last search suggestion (you might not see it) or simply click the search button, we still don't see it. However, the first organic result is a link to Southwest business info from Yahoo.
BTW, it's very likely that results will vary.
Example B: When we enter AAPL, (Apple) or AMZN (Amazon) we do see an "instant answer." No click required.
Example C: GOOG (for Google) does not show a no click stock quote but a click on the suggestion or just clicking the search button does the trick.
Example D: UPS (United Parcel Service) does not provide the info but the first result in both cases includes a link to stock and other investment info.
Finally, entering a company name in the search box is similar.
Netflix does not work with or without a click but Netflix Inc. does work without a click.
Again, this is nothing new but a reminder that sometimes clicking is required. BTW, the decision about when to show and when not to show stock info appears to be related to Google's ability to disambiguate the query enough (in their eyes) to take a guess and show you the stock quote and info. Of course, that's not always the case. For example, searching Pepsico or Pepsi does not produce stock info (although the PEPSICO result does include a link to Google Finance with a direct link to Pepsico info). Even taking the search suggestions of "PEPSICO Quote" or "PEPSICO Stock Quotes" did not work for us. However, enter the ticker symbol "PEP" along with letters QU and a Instant Search result with the stock price and more is now at the top of the page.
+ 5) At the bottom of your preferences page you can turn Instant Search on or off on a permanent basis. Of course, you lose the ability to toggle back and forth (on/off) using the link to the right of the search box when Instant Search is active.
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