Google+ has made a few tweaks to how its search function operates, and has added the obligatory trending topics its search results pages.

The first change begins right in the search box itself: As you type a search query, Google+ now separates possible matches in a pop-up window with People or Pages that may match your query.

There are more changes if you follow through on the search itself. When Google finally added search to Google+, the search results page had four tabs: Everything, People, Google+ Posts and Sparks.

Now, the search results have two tabs with different options. The first tab has those original four options, while a second tab adds filtering options for what content sources you might want to search: “From everyone,” “From your circles” and “From you.” (I’ve slightly doctored the image below to show both drop downs at once.)

And as you see on the far right, trending topics is now part of the search results page, too. This is pretty much an obligatory feature for any social networking site, and could help increase engagement on Google+ if users decide to see what other users — often total strangers outside of their circles — are saying about the day’s hot topics.

(Hat tip to TNW.)

Related Topics: Channel: Social | Google: Google+ | Google: Real Time Search

About The Author: Matt McGee is Editor-In-Chief of Search Engine Land. His news career includes time spent in TV, radio, and print journalism. His web career continues to include a small number of SEO and social media consulting clients, as well as regular speaking engagements at marketing events around the U.S. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and can be found on Twitter at @MattMcGee and/or on Google Plus. You can read Matt's disclosures on his personal blog. See more articles by Matt McGee

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