Over the past couple of months we have been communicating to our clients as to what Universal Search is.  We thought we would just perform a quick recap of Universal Search for those who still may have questions about it.

Breakdown of Universal Search 

WHO: Google
WHAT: A comprehensive way to search for and view information online involving more than just  typical text-based search results.
WHERE: Google search results pages.
WHEN: Released May 16, 2007.
WHY: To provide more comprehensive information to the searcher that includes standard web search results, blog results, images, video results, local/map results, news results, books, patents, finance, code and catalogs.

Simply put, Google's Universal Search blends content from Google Images, Maps, Books, Video, and News into their web results.  For the average user of Google, this means that depending on the query that you are searching for, you may be served up with various forms of media.  Try a search for Amazing Spiderman, Clint Eastwood, or iphone.  You will notice that the results are now filled with news listings, videos, images, blog results and of course traditional search results.  Previously you would have only received the later. 

Does Universal Search Improve the Search Experience?

Well this is debatable. It depends if you are interested in video or image results that may "distract" you from your intent.  The problem with Universal Search is that it can "cloud" the results and provide results that are not relevant to your search query.  For me personally, I want relevant results all of the time.  If the most relevant result is an image that's fine just don't show it to me when I am actually looking for the latest news story or for the latest blog post about a topic of interest.

If Universal Search returns irrelevant results, the least Google could do is make Universla Search an optional feature that users could have some control over.  As it is right now, there is no way to "turn off" Universal Search.

More on Universal Search

Official Google Press Release on Universal Search
An Intimate View of the World through the Eyes of Google
What Influences Universal Search?
Guide to Google's Universal Search