Recently, Google added some new options to the basic search function. You may have had these new options available for several days now, but chances are good you haven’t noticed them. Google tends to release features like these without a lot of fanfare; I’m not sure I’d have noticed it myself if I hadn’t seen an article about it on Mashable last week.
Below is a typical Google search results page. You’re probably already familiar with the options at the top of the screen (”Images,” “Video,” “Maps,” etc.). If not, let me know and I’ll post an article about those, too!
A typical Google search results page, but check out the "Show Options" link.
The new options are hidden behind that link I highlighted in green, just below the Google logo. If you click on “Show Options…” your results page will change slightly to look like this:
A typical Google search results page, with new options in the sidebar on the left.
Largely, what these options–shown in the sidebar on the left side of the page–allow you to do is filter your results based on criteria of your choosing. Want to see only recent results? Click on the “Past week” link and Google will filter out older results. The best way to learn how these options will be useful for you is to simply go play around with them. However, Google has also kindly supplied an introductory video that you can watch for more information:
Enjoy playing with these new options. I think you’ll find them useful. I especially like the Wonder Wheel (essentially a visual version of “Related searches”). I could follow spokes from one wheel to another for ages!
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