Google Squared Search Tool Goes Live

On June 3, Google Squared was launched, and it seems to have garnered mixed results. Google Squared is a new search tool that gathers information from various Web sites and displays it in an organized grid format. Designed to simplify the user’s search experience, Google Squared presents the information in an easy-to-read table with rows and columns.

A normal Google search will return an index of relevant Web sites, which the user then must filter through to find the information they need. With Google Squared, however, you could look at specific features of your search query or compare diverse attributes. For instance, if you were to type “computer printers” in the search bar, you’d get results for several different types of printers accompanied by a picture, a short description of its function, when it was invented, etc. Users can also customize the results table by adding a new column, such as a category for manufacturers or average price range.

The results presented in the table link to pertinent Web sites, which contain more detailed information on that specific topic. Users also have the option of saving their “Squares” or results grid, so they can come back to their findings later if they’re logged in. This feature will certainly come in handy for people that perform several different searches in a short amount of time.

Google Squared is far from complete, and early experiments left much to be desired. In fact, Google Squared did not come up with any results for “New York Mets third basemen,” but it did produce a list of prominent names when the query was widened to just “third basemen.” Most likely, this can be attributed to the fact that the Mets are known for having a revolving door at their third base position.

Numerous refinements still need to be made before this technology is ready for prime time. Nonetheless, this new tool could be of great use to those doing research on a particular subject matter—especially research involving historical and statistical data.