Last May, Google said that based on users from 10 countries, Google searches through mobile devices outnumber searches through desktops. Now, it appears like Google search has become wider than ever with more users worldwide using the search in their mobile devices instead of searching in their desktop.
While it is also possible that desktop-based searches remain popular than mobile-based in some individual countries, the latest data accounts for all searches that are done worldwide which have been lumped together.
According to Google's head of search Amit Singhal, Google sees over 100 billion searches every month. He noted that the number, despite being massive, reflects only those searches done on devices which have displays that are smaller than six inches. In other words, it doesn't include those searches done on several tablets.
"Search as we think about it is fundamentally how you will interact with computing," said Singhal. "Computing may live in a 4-to-6-inch device, it may live in a desktop, it may live on a 1-inch round device."
U.S. and Japan are among the ten countries where Google search on mobile is more popular than searches on desktop PCs.
Google also cites the growing number of searches done outside the traditional search box where users would enter their query by typing. One example is when users do their search in cars where they use the vehicle's voice recognition feature as opposed to typing.
"Over half the things that people ask the car to do are related to information and entertainment," said Singhal.
Earlier this year, Google rolled out new ads that have been cropped to enhance the way they are displayed on mobile devices. Instead of relying on keywords, these ads rely on data such as prices, images and product specs. During a search, users would be able to see either a carousel or a panel of listings from ad makers at the top or near the results.
Google has also indexed 100 billion links within apps as a way to meet the growing usage of apps which had been non-accessible through the company's search engine. Users can now see links to apps in the results of their search so long as they have the particular app installed.
"It does seem a little neanderthal-ish to put words in a box," said Kara Swisher in an interview with Singhal at Code/Mobile.
Lastly, it's important to note that the latest information does not necessarily mean that desktop searches had decreased. It only means that mobile searches continue to grow and have managed to catch up with desktop search, eventually overtaking in the popularity race as well.
