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Google Promises Better Accuracy in Your Search Results

And makes it easier to check your sources

By Rob Rich Rob Rich News Reporter College for Creative Studies Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 11, 2022 02:52PM EDT Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Fact checked by Jerri Ledford Western Kentucky University Gulf Coast Community College Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Internet & Security Mobile Phones Internet & Security Computers & Tablets Smart Life Home Theater & Entertainment Software & Apps Social Media Streaming Gaming A number of changes have come to Google's search to present more relevant info and make it easier to see how trustworthy the results may be. Google revealed a number of improvements to the way it collects and presents search results, along with updated tools that make assessing the legitimacy of those results a little easier. So, at the very least, you won't need to rely on advanced search commands quite as much to find what you're looking for. Adam Berry / Stringer / Getty Images Featured snippets (the first non-sponsored result) were adjusted so Google's systems can cross-reference other sources it considers to be reputable to look for a consensus. In other words, the featured snippet should be something that multiple sources agree on, so the information is more likely to be accurate. On the opposite side of this, featured snippets are now downplayed (or just not used) when a query has no real answer. Google's also enhancing search results so that the About this result feature includes details that make it easier to determine a source's credibility—details such as how often a source is shared, reviews of said source, what company owns the source, and whether or not Google can actually find any legitimate details about the source in the first place. Google Searches that involve situations with constantly-updating details (such as breaking news) or are otherwise in a state of flux also have content advisories now. So, if the system isn't confident in the results (due to the reported details changing often), it will give you a heads-up and recommend checking back later when more details have been verified. Lastly, there's Google's push to promote information literacy, which isn't really a change to the search but is still relevant. It's begun a partnership with MediaWise (from the Poynter Institute for Media Studies) and PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs to release a free weekly lesson plan for middle school and high school teachers to review with their students to help everyone better understand how to verify what they read online. All of Google's search updates and improvements are available now. The first of its information literacy lesson plans is also out now, with weekly releases coming throughout the foreseeable future. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Search in Google Sheets How to Search an Image on Google How to Use Google Reverse Image Search Search Engines: What They Are & How They Work How to Limit a Google Search to a Specific Domain How to Check for Plagiarism in Google Docs How to Block Searches of Your Facebook Profile Bing Advanced Search Tricks You Should Know 6 Best Ways to Search for People on Facebook How to Use Google to Find Files Online The 7 Best Mobile Search Engines 10 Tips on How to Make Something Go Viral Online How to Use Google Lens on iPhone What Is Data Mining? How to Stop Google From Tracking Your Searches Best Online News Sites Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies