Google is showing answers in the search results without showing any organic listings or ads or anything but the answer. Yehoshua Coren posted on Twitter a screen shot of him going to Google and Google returning the answer and a button to show search results.
He searched for [time in los angeles] and Google is only showing the answer with a button later on to "show all results."
Here is a screen shot:
How about that, Google not showing any search results for a search query.
Danny Sullivan of Google confirmed it and said on Twitter that this works for searches that bring up the "calculator, unit converter & local time." Google said they are "experimenting with a condensed view to further speed up load time." Google said that searchers "rarely use the full search results" for these types of queries and if they want it, they can click the "show all results" button.
Here is Danny's tweet:
For calculator, unit converter & local time, we’re experimenting with a condensed view to further speed up load time. People who search for these tools rarely use full search results, but the results will remain available for those who want them via the "Show all results" button.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2018
My understanding is everyone will see this experiment. As it's an experiment, it might not stay. But initial testing was strong enough for the broad rollout.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2018
Here are other screen shots:
Here is what the industry thinks about this:
Playing Devil's advocate slightly (and I think your question is a fair one), there aren't any ads, either. I'm honestly not sure how hiding organic and ads would materially benefit Google.
— Dr. Pete Meyers (@dr_pete) March 14, 2018
Disagree, dangerous precedent. Next it’ll be sports scores, then weather....
— Martin MacDonald (@searchmartin) March 14, 2018
Ballsy. On mobile too.
— Martin MacDonald (@searchmartin) March 14, 2018
Woah.
— Glen Allsopp (@ViperChill) March 14, 2018
The results are still there for you or any of the few who actually use them. Push the button.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2018
For [what time is it], a search that gets 1,830,000 searches a month (global) Google is experimenting with showing NO search results. None. Just the answer (ht @rustybrick https://t.co/gwZuekMfZ0) pic.twitter.com/xVlpLtdLCa
— Dan Shure (@dan_shure) March 14, 2018
Time and date, I'm OK with. Stealing data and blurbs of text from other websites to answer questions, and eliminating the need to click thru to them, not so much.
— Mitchell (@freemitch) March 14, 2018
I think it makes sense too, but where do you (Google) draw the line on when an answer is the only thing you need to show?
— Matt McGee (@mattmcgee) March 14, 2018
Sorry, this is the direction of things with Google. Display more and more culled information on first page (with ads), search results will be on 2nd page. The real estate has been shrinking steadily for search results.
— Andy 🐬 (@tritrain) March 14, 2018
This is insane.
— Jayson Akers (@azakers) March 14, 2018
Where is the 'opt-out', 'down vote', 'feedback' link?
Noted. It is still considered an experiment. It was tested & confident enough for a full rollout. Google will be watching closely how that goes and I'm sure make any changes that seem an improvement.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2018
Awful! It’s like GOOG considers their result to be equal to ‘ground truth’ . #machinelearning #ai #slipperyslope https://t.co/VbtW9sUhBK
— Leeza Rodriguez (@LeezaRodriguez) March 14, 2018
Oh, also probably: pic.twitter.com/mSUCE4KtQV
— laura lippay (@lauralippay) March 14, 2018
For my fellow #SEO nerds this has huge implications and shows just how much Google is prioritizing their efforts to make search more friendly for the Google Home and Google Assitant https://t.co/0Du0FXTi26
— Geoff Que? (@RunGeoffRun) March 14, 2018
Google have updated what they show when you search for anything 'time' related. I bet Time Magazine love this. pic.twitter.com/Zheu0yWdPc
— dan barker (@danbarker) March 14, 2018
If you're looking for a 'date in london', Google now shows ads for dating agencies but zero non-paid results. pic.twitter.com/NmUPW80xGj
— dan barker (@danbarker) March 14, 2018
Forum discussion at Twitter.
