Google has officially ended its Notes feature, a labs experiment launched in November 2023 for Search and Discover. The feature, which allowed users to leave and read notes on search results and Discover content, concludes its run today.
What Was Google Notes?
Google Notes was designed as a blend of forum-style discussions, community annotations, and comments sections. It aimed to:
- Allow users to write and read notes on specific search result listings and within Google Discover
- Provide access to helpful tips from both experts and everyday users
- Aid in finding relevant information and seeing what worked for others
The feature resembled a cross between traditional forums, Reddit discussions, X Community Notes, and a comments section with a story-like format.
Reasons for Discontinuation
A Google spokesperson explained to 9to5google that Search Labs serves as a testbed for bold experimentation, acknowledging that not all experiments will launch broadly.
Search Labs is our testbed for bold experimentation and as we’ve shared, not all experiments will launch broadly. We’ve seen in our research that people want to hear from others like them and Notes was an exploration of how to help people share their knowledge right on Search. We’re excited to continue testing new ways to connect people to authentic, relatable voices and look forward to bringing some of our learnings from Notes into future product experiences.
Impact on Users
Users who participated in the Notes experiment have until the end of August to download their notes using Google Takeout. This ensures that participants can retain their contributions if desired.
Despite mixed opinions on the feature, Google expressed excitement about testing new ways to connect people to authentic voices. The company plans to integrate learnings from Notes into future products, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and user-driven features.
Google remains dedicated to testing and iterating on new ideas, using experiments like Notes to inform and improve its services.
As the Search and Discover landscapes continue to evolve, users can anticipate further experiments and potential features aimed at enhancing the search experience and connecting users with valuable information.
