What is Google Autocomplete?

We’ve all seen Google Autocomplete at work. Google Autocomplete is the feature that predicts search queries as you type, helping you find information faster by suggesting possible completions to your search. In fact, it’s been shown to lower typing time by as much as 25%!

It works across various Google applications, including the Google homepage, the mobile app as well as the address bar in the Chrome browser.

Here’s what it looks like:

Google will attempt to predict what you are searching for, and will adjust it’s predictions as you type. See a search you want to use before you’ve finished typing? Simply click the search and Google will do the rest.

In addition to full phrase predictions, Google can also predict individual words that are based on both real searches and word patterns.

Fun Fact: Google calls it’s auto complete “predications” and not “suggestions” as it’s aim is not to suggest new searches but to predict what a user might type next, based on what they think they are looking for.

Where Do The Predictions Come From?

Google Autocomplete predictions are based on several different factors. In addition to real searches that have been done on Google, it also considers the language of the query, the location of the user, trending interest in a query and the user’s past searches.

Not only does this ensure they provide accurate and relevant results, but also results that are unique to a place or time, such as breaking news or seasonal events.

Managing Google Autocomplete Issues

There are several systems in place to mitigate the potential for unexpected or shocking predictions. These include:

Sexually explicit predictions (not related to medical, scientific, or sex education)

Hateful or harmful predictions against groups and individuals

Predictions that are violent or dangerous

Searches that might not return reliable content such as misinformation

However, Google Autocomplete is not always perfect. While Google will prevent predications from appearing, users are still able to fully type out a query to complete their search.

If a predication does follow any of the above violations, users are able to report them by clicking “report inappropriate predications” in the search box.