What exactly is Google Hummingbird?

Although it is technically correct to refer to Google Hummingbird as an algorithm update, this is somewhat misleading. This is due to the fact that Hummingbird was effectively a completely redesigned version of Google's search algorithm, rather than a patch or small update.

Semantic Search with Google Hummingbird

The all-important concept of semantics, or meaning, is at the heart of the Hummingbird. Even the most sophisticated computers are inept. This is because, although humans can easily discern between two separate but related concepts (by context), computers cannot do so unless expressly instructed. Computers are stupid.

Semantic search refers to the idea of improving search results by concentrating on user intent and how the subject of a search relates to other information in a broader sense, also known as contextual relevance. Semantic search, on the other hand, focuses on detecting what a user truly means rather than a string of keywords and then presenting relevant results.

For example, if a person searches for the phrase 'weather,' it is much more probable that they are seeking a forecast for their location rather than an explanation of meteorological science or history.

So, in this case:

• The topic of the search is 'weather.'
• The user's goal is the desire for a local prediction.
• The context distinguishes a weather forecast from an explanation of meteorological concepts.

Of all, Google's algorithm cannot be certain of what I want, so it returns a variety of options just to be safe. Google returns a local forecast (despite the fact that this search was conducted in an Incognito window), a link to the Weather Channel, a Wikipedia entry for the phrase 'weather,' and some other information. Nonetheless, the prominence of local forecast data in the Knowledge Graph demonstrates Google's trust in its results.

Google Hummingbird's Future

So, what does the future of Google Hummingbird and semantic search look like? Yes, this is where we stare into The FutureTM's murky waters and make some bold predictions that we can look back on in a year or two and say, 'See? 'We warned you.'

Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing

Many experts believe that advances in natural language processing - the process by which robots efficiently parse and interpret human speech - will be a driving force in the advancement of semantic search. Natural language processing will continue to be an important aspect of Google's search goals, as evidenced by how accurate Google Now has gotten since its inception.

Conclusion

Most internet users have grown accustomed to Google Hummingbird's new and improved search capabilities. As great as semantic search and speech recognition technology applications are, most consumers will not notice improvements in these domains; they will simply expect Google to keep developing and make their lives simpler. This is exactly what we might expect based on Google's track record.