Google adds new “Top References” to refine search results
Google has added a new method of refining certain search results – “Top References”.
This seems to be a very limited bucket test at the moment as we were not able to replicate it on any further searches. We will update the posts if/when we can get some better screenshots!
The functionality seems to be that the filter allows you to search through all the existing search results for “roses” to show “Pages mentioning” the reference used to refine the search.
The interesting part of this feature is that unlike other filters the original search query in the search box doesn’t change.
Update: Rob Hammond has provided another screenshot of this in action below:
Patrick Altoft is Director of Search at Branded3, a Leeds SEO & Digital Agency specialising in SEO, Web Design, Development & Social Media.
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Also seen this on [it jobs] – see http://twitter.com/robhammond/status/15097752803352577
I can’t get them to render myself, big G must be testing on you seeing as its the holidays…
I imagine you are a signed in user, with history enabled and some preferences filled in, they look interesting to say the least, however they don’t seem to be offering relevant choices… what have librarians got to do with “IT Jobs” i do ponder…
Patric’s rose images are much nicer and if not less invasive than this here green ghetto box.
TNX for the FYI
iDCx
It looks as though users will be able to click on one of these top references and refine their search? I wonder how it will affect the visibility of a business who does not appear for the refined term.
@Blueclaw same here, I have been unable to replicate the results above.
It does add a new dimension to the search results, although I am not totally sold on how useful it really is.
Matt
Tried a few Google searches but didn’t notice anything different. I like the idea of having further options to refine the query though. It will be interesting to see if this is rolled out.
John
What had you done wrong to be searching for roses? lol
Before it disappeared, I saw it as well. It was localised to just google.co.uk, and not .com nor .com.au.
The “top references” given for roses have few searches, where as the ones given to it jobs seem unrelated and have high search volumes.
Can anyone else see the pattern?
Am I missing something? I can’t see how this is useful to a searcher at all. Although i haven’t been able to replicate the screenshots above for some reason – so haven’t been able to test for myself.
I’m interested in seeing how this develops…I found their instant search tool fascinating in itself when it came out.
its amazing the lengths google is going to to push organic serps out of the viewpane… makes me sick!
It’s indeed a shame that it pushes the organic positions out of the viewpane. I was really wondering if it enhances google its services. When does the world goes binging?
I don’t like this new “test” of google in her SERP. It isn’t helping the people to find the better results. The real time search is better thing than that…
it’s too bad, because in this way they’re moving the links out of the “above the fold” screen and this is not necessary a good thing.. i think mixing up all the search types, in that global search result that they’re trying, by integrating images, videos, tweets, news, etc is doing worse instead of improving the user experience
I found a little difference in google serp geographically. Like I observed some change in UK and Spain. It may be possible, this is not related to this but I fond a little.
Any most of the people did not like this change and I think because people have been used to by the real method.
Definitely looks like another one of Google’s tests. Like all of them, its just a matter of time before it comes through to main stream
Interesting tip Patrick. It’s not working for me right now, but I’ll keep my eye out. It could give some interesting search results. Thanks.
well, i don’t agree with some of the other guys that say all these improvements aren’t good. even though they move the links down, under the above the fold. Matt Cutts says that their primary objective is to offer to the user the best results/experience.. so i’m sure they know what they’re doing
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December 21, 2010 at 3:29pm