UX #2: Why Google’s search experience constantly adapts to you

Have you noticed how Google’s search page adapts to what you type? For example, when I type in “UX design” into Google, I immediately get a 2-column view of an AI overview and social media links, followed by sponsored results and then unique search results.

If I type in “UX design course” into Google, I get a new template, highlighting sponsored posts first before showing me an AI overview and social media links, and then getting into unique search results. And finally, when I type in “UX design jobs” I am immediately hit with jobs listings in my area followed by jobs boards in the search results. Why does Google’s search page template keep changing up on me?

Google currently uses AI to generate their search results page, which means AI has to understand the level of uncertainty when a search term is typed into Google. The term “UX design” typed into Google is a more general term, so results are more general. But specific terms like “UX design courses” and “UX design jobs” yield more specific results. 

My name is Samaya and I’m your UX woman. Follow our Substack to get UX design challenges delivered to your inbox! I like to spill the tea from my 10-year career in UX, working for brand names like Hulu, Marvel, Meta and more. Follow UX Woman for more UX design psychology. We’re creating a 100-day series on famous UX designs from big brands and why they work. 

We offer UX courses for women breaking into tech. Don’t be a stranger! Book a 20-minute call with us  to see if we could be the right fit for you in terms of UX career coaching. Our 7-Month UX Design Accelerator covers:

• 2 months of UX research and business strategy curriculum

• 2 months of UX design and design systems curriculum

• 3 additional months of 1-on-1 UX career coaching for the job search (writing UX resumes and a clear LinkedIn profile, building a UX portfolio with 3-5 case studies, UX interview prep). 

• After that, we provide group coaching for life, held every 2 weeks to hold you accountable during your UX job search so that you don’t lose momentum.