Saying that Google changed the +Search command may not be the best way to describe Google’s actions. Instead of announcing that they were going to be replacing the +search command they quietly pulled the rug out from under its users and completely removed the Boolean + search command. Google is now ignoring the + symbol without so much as a blog post to let people know.
Although Google has decided to ignore searches with the + command they have expanded the role of the quotation marks to incorporate the + command functionality. After years of performing searches with + commands it will probably take time for some users to get used to the new way of searching.
Old Way: Keyword + Keyword + Keyword
New Way: Keyword “Keyword” “Keyword”
On a Google Help Forum, Kelly an employee from Google offered the following explanation.
“ We’ve made the ways you can tell Google exactly what you want more consistent by expanding the functionality of the quotation mark operator. In addition to using this operator to search for an exact phrase, you can now add quotation marks around a single word to tell Google to match that word precisely. So, if in the past you would have searched for [magazine +latina], you should now search for [magazine "Latina"].”
“We’re constantly making changes to Google Search – adding new features, tweaking the look and feel, running experiments, – all to get you the information you need as quickly and as easily as possible. This recent change is another step toward simplifying the search experience to get you to the info you want.”
Google may have stated that they have made these improvements to help users get to the information quicker and easier but it doesn’t really seem to benefit anyone but them. Some online users have even suggested that they only removed the + search command to better accommodate searches for their Google+ social network.
In conclusion the + search command’s replacement isn’t all that more complicated but it may require some time for people to get used to. The fact that Google didn’t really bother to announce that they were making this change and the belief that it only benefits their new social network rather than the search results seems to be the biggest issue for most users. It is only once a user performs a search with the +search command that they are finally notified that the +function has been eliminated and the displayed results are generated without the +command.
For better or for worst, the +search command has been replaced using the quotation mark operator. What do you think did Google do this just to help their social network become more searchable?
Visit the Google Forum to see what others are saying about the change.
Have a Great Day!
Dustin
