Google again starts showing no results for queries it's confident it can answer on its own.
The change makes Google to show just the answer to specific query. For instance, if users ask Google about the time is in specific locations, the measurement unit conversions or math calculations, Google returns no results other than the sole answer.
Despite showing zero result, Google always provides a link to 'show all results' under its answer, which will lead the user to full search results.
Google does this only when users type in specific queries that Google think there is only one answer to the question.
But in some of those cases, if for example Google thinks a searcher may want to get the search results, Google will default to show the full search results.
Here are some examples:
According to Google's statement:
Google tested this feature in March but pulled back the feature because users were unhappy with the test.
This is because Google in showing zero results led to some brands not coming up for their own name, and also reduced clicks to some websites, like for example, visits to currency conversion sites out there.
For these reasons, Google tried to resolve most of the issues before rolling it out to all users.
The change does not apply to all time zones and currencies. In this case, Google appears to be hiding results only on mobile devices when users use Google Chrome.
Otherwise, like for example when users are using their PC or other browser on mobile, Google will show its full search results like usually.
Rolling out to all users gradually, this update should make experience in searching using Google a bit friendlier and faster. Without too many distraction, users can simply get to the answer they need, easily.
Previously, Google also made some changes to its search results page, by showing less video and image boxes or carousels in the search results.
According to data from search marketing platforms RankRanger and STAT Search Analytics, Google has dropped the percentage of time that video and images boxes show up in the search results, by 20 to 30 percent.
This too, can impact website traffic that leverages vertical search.