Using Google Search to Crowdsource Suggestions

By Pavel Konoplenko

The openness of the Internet has allowed us – in theory – to get the best possible products and experiences. We can compare reviews, features, prices, and anything else that’s relevant to make the best possible decisions. However, to get the most out of it, we need to put as much in as possible.

Sometimes, though, the problem is that we’re not exactly sure what we’re looking for when we’re looking online. Luckily, there are plenty of ways, one which I discovered recently and will share, that lets you use Google’s predictive search to throw out relevant suggestions.

I was looking for a Mac program that allowed me to analyse my disk space. After quickly discovering Daisy Disk – apparently the best program for Macs – from this Lifehacker article, I wanted to find a similar program – preferably a free one. Instead of having to manually sift through Google search results, I used simply searched for Daisy Disk   followed by vs.

Google’s predictive search then gave me some great suggestions, which also happen to be the most popular alternative to the program.

Google Predictive Search
Here you can see Google giving me great alternatives to Daisy Drive. I eventually settled on the first choice.

The reason this works so great is because Google shows you the results based on relevant comparisons other people had. Think of this as Google Knowledge Crowdsourcing.

This isn’t just an life-saving Google tip (you’re welcome), but a highlight of how Google is using our human tendencies to deliver relevant results. We love to compare, especially when making decisions. Raw information means nothing to us without any context or comparison. Google’s Predictive Search understand why we’re searching and why we’re typing “vs” – typing in “daisy disk vs” brings no relevant or useful results.

This is a demonstration of how Google is organizing information around our motivation to search – in this case to compare two things. They’re making answers easier to find and more accessible to search. I’m excited for the innovations in search they will introduce in the next few years.

What areas can Google improve in? Leave them in the comments.

 

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  • http://www.caseypalmer.com/ Casey E. Palmer

    The day Google lets you associate their services with multiple Gmail accounts, they will have my undying loyalty. That’s pretty much the ONLY thing they need to introduce to cement their position, I feel.

    • http://pavelnovel.com/ Pavel Konoplenko

      Exactly – I remember trying to figure out how to change it a few years ago until I realized I can’t. So I had to stop using one of my accounts. I wonder why they don’t want to let that happen.