Google has implemented enhancements to the search suggestions displayed in Chrome’s address bar with the February 2024 Updates. A new read-only on-device model has been introduced specifically designed for incognito mode.
Personalized Search Suggestions in Google Chrome
Instead of showing general trending searches when you click the address bar on a new tab, Chrome will now offer search suggestions based on your past searches. These suggestions will also include relevant image thumbnails.
The image above (credits to Google) shows similar suggestions related to your current search query.
Additionally, Chrome will now include a “people also search for” section on the right side of the panel. This feature mirrors what is commonly seen in search results or snippets. The Search Box version of this feature has been in testing since 2020, as reported by Search Engine Roundtable.
Please be aware that Search Suggestions are functional when you are signed in to Chrome.
Improved Image Display for Search Suggestions on Android and iOS
In Chrome for Android and iOS, an image will now accompany search suggestions related to products you have been looking for. This enhancement aims to display more relevant images linked to your search query, particularly for shopping-related searches.
A Google screenshot demonstrates how this feature operates when searching for “bohemian table,” exhibiting results for a tablecloth, table lamp, and a table runner.
Search Suggestions on Unstable Network Connections
Search Suggestions are provided in real-time as you type. However, they might not function seamlessly on slow internet connections. To address this issue, Google has introduced a new on-device capability in Chrome for mobile devices, allowing it to display search suggestions even under poor network conditions.
The specifics of how this feature functions were not fully disclosed in Google’s announcement. Joshua Cruz, a Google spokesperson, informed The Verge about Chrome’s ability to offer search suggestions on slow networks. Chrome downloads a lightweight read-only model tailored for a specific locale onto the user’s device, storing the data in the user directory. This model contains top search suggestions for the user’s locale, enabling Chrome to offer suggestions when the device encounters difficulty in swiftly connecting to Google’s servers. This feature is also operational in Incognito mode, providing non-personalized suggestions based on trending queries for the user’s locale.
The most recent version of the browser, Chrome 122, has not yet displayed the new search suggestion enhancements. Despite The Verge’s successful testing of these features, it is probable that the improved suggestions are being slowly rolled out.
Image Source: rafapress / Shutterstock
