Google Fills In The Blanks

An update to the Google algorithm allows for better wildcard pattern matching in user queries.

Could this be the arrival of Ask Google? An update to the Google Blog from Hiyan Alshawi notes how the search engine now tries to handle blank spaces in queries better:

“(W)e’ve improved the way results are found in response to queries containing such blanks. This includes allowing softer pattern matching, if necessary, and promoting results in which the blank filler is relatively more frequent in the context of the query.”

The blank-as-wildcard approach works regardless of the user’s default language. It’s not quite artificial intelligence, but for queries seeking straightforward facts the update should be of interest.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.