Google Search is one of the most visited places on the web, and this time, it's getting a huge update.
Huge means that it significantly alters the experience. In an update, Google introduces continuous scrolling feature to its users on desktop. This way, according to Google, its search results will display up to six pages of URLs before prompting users to click on 'more results.'
What this means, Google is making desktop search results more like mobile.
Initially, the feature is made available to users in the U.S..
"Now, when you scroll down you’ll continue to find relevant results so that you can discover new ideas. When you reach the bottom of a search results page, up to six pages of results will be automatically shown until you see a “More results” button if you wish to continue further."
Starting today, we’re bringing continuous scrolling to desktop in English in the U.S. so you can continue to see more search results easily. When you reach the bottom of a search results page, you'll now be able to see up to six pages of results. pic.twitter.com/xIuVP24FFm
— Google (@Google) December 5, 2022
Continuous scrolling simply eliminates the need for users to click 'Next' or the page numbers at the bottom of the search results.
Instead, users who scrolled to the bottom of the page, will have Google automatically load the next batch of results on the page.
Google initially introduced continuous scrolling to its search engine for mobile users in 2021
The idea is that, while Google is doing its very best to surface the most relevant information higher up on its search result, sometimes, people just want to scroll down for more.
"Sometimes you want to keep looking," said Google.
In a blog post at the time, Google said that "most people who want additional information tend to browse up to four pages of search results. With this update, people can now seamlessly do this [...] ."
"For example, for broader, more open-ended questions like 'What can I do with pumpkins?' you may want to consider more results and inspiration before deciding how to move forward. Scrolling through a wider range of results may show you tons of options you hadn’t considered, like no-carve pumpkin decor ideas for Halloween, pumpkin seed recipes that make your pumpkin worth carving and more ideas for how to make the most out of your gourd."
"So starting today, we're bringing continuous scrolling to desktop so you can continue to see more helpful search results with fewer clicks. It's now even easier to get inspired with more information at your fingertips," a company spokesperson said.
The change mirrors the design of most social media feeds.
Ideally, this makes searching quicker, and should make it less important for websites to be on the first page of search results.