The Google Search app for iOS users is getting a new feature called Page Annotations. This is designed to simply add clickable links to web pages if and when necessary.
The feature is designed to alter the way iOS users interact when coming across different websites. What we can confirm for now is how the offering is currently rolling out so users can combine the Search functionality into pages conveniently.
The feature first identifies any interesting entity on a page and then highlights it using clickable links. When any user clicks on a highlighted entity, it’s taken to search directly inside the Google app. As a result, they exit the actual website and open up new windows. So in this manner, the link gets inserted into the page which the website owner didn’t add and also without their permission.
The new offering certainly has its pros and cons when it comes to how readers take in web information. At one end of the spectrum, it makes the research process simpler by giving users the chance to jump from one page to the next and from search results without actually leaving the app.
Furthermore, it gives a more focused approach to search by only displaying relevant results. But some major downsides do exist here. For starters, Page Annotations might lead users to spend more time inside the app ecosystem and less time searching the web for content.
Also, there are concerns about Google prioritizing its own results on the search page over others. For that, Google did share how any website owner can opt out of this feature if and when they want. But if that is the case, it would take up to a month. So in that way, users are exposed to the offering for a long period.
However, the opt-out process can take up to 30 days, meaning that users may be exposed to the feature for an extended time. Hence, it’s quite clear that the Android maker is walking on a thin rope between the likes of innovation and control that rests with users. The ultimate success may end up messing up the balance between webpage designs, the flow of data, and users’ privacy. What do you think?
Read next: YouTube Enhances Creator Offerings With Exciting New AI and Editing Tools
The feature is designed to alter the way iOS users interact when coming across different websites. What we can confirm for now is how the offering is currently rolling out so users can combine the Search functionality into pages conveniently.
The feature first identifies any interesting entity on a page and then highlights it using clickable links. When any user clicks on a highlighted entity, it’s taken to search directly inside the Google app. As a result, they exit the actual website and open up new windows. So in this manner, the link gets inserted into the page which the website owner didn’t add and also without their permission.
The new offering certainly has its pros and cons when it comes to how readers take in web information. At one end of the spectrum, it makes the research process simpler by giving users the chance to jump from one page to the next and from search results without actually leaving the app.
Furthermore, it gives a more focused approach to search by only displaying relevant results. But some major downsides do exist here. For starters, Page Annotations might lead users to spend more time inside the app ecosystem and less time searching the web for content.
Also, there are concerns about Google prioritizing its own results on the search page over others. For that, Google did share how any website owner can opt out of this feature if and when they want. But if that is the case, it would take up to a month. So in that way, users are exposed to the offering for a long period.
However, the opt-out process can take up to 30 days, meaning that users may be exposed to the feature for an extended time. Hence, it’s quite clear that the Android maker is walking on a thin rope between the likes of innovation and control that rests with users. The ultimate success may end up messing up the balance between webpage designs, the flow of data, and users’ privacy. What do you think?
Read next: YouTube Enhances Creator Offerings With Exciting New AI and Editing Tools
