The Google app for iOS will convert website text into search links – Softonic
In a bid to enhance browsing capabilities, Google’s iOS app has introduced a new feature named Page Annotation. This innovative tool is designed to seamlessly highlight pertinent information as users navigate through web pages using the app’s integrated browser. By interacting with highlighted terms, users can easily access additional related search results, thus broadening their scope of information.
Nevertheless, the advent of this feature has sparked significant debate among web media editors. Concerns arise about the potential diversion of traffic from their websites to Google’s search engine, with the fear that visitors might find it challenging to return to the original content from which they were redirected. Critics argue that this could further diminish the visibility and engagement of content from its original source.
Google, acknowledging the apprehensions surrounding this tool, has offered a solution for those who wish to opt-out. Website owners can submit a request to deactivate the Page Annotation feature. However, it’s important for publishers to note that this process could take up to a month to be fully implemented. Once the form is submitted, it ensures that the particular feature will no longer affect their pages after 30 days.
The functionality aims to provide users with a richer experience without disrupting their flow. Ashwarya, a member of Google’s support team, elaborates that users can gather additional context on entities like people, places, or things directly from the visited page. Designed to supplement rather than overshadow the primary content, this feature presents information in a side tray within the app, which the user can dismiss at any time with ease.
Despite Google’s assurances, the implications of this development on key web metrics — including user engagement time and recirculation — remain yet to be seen. The tech giant posits that this new browsing experience will empower users to effortlessly gain added context without the need to exit their current page. However, how this affects the flow of online traffic and interaction metrics is still to be determined.
