Google Tests “What’s Hot” & “What’s Nearby” As Android Search Options

Artem Russakovskii found an interesting Google search options test for Android. In addition to recent searches, Google inserted a “What’s Hot” and “Nearby” option in the pull-down menu. Here’s what it looks like:

I asked Google for a comment or more information on this. Google provided the following statement: “We’re always experimenting with the look and feel of our products but have nothing to announce.”

Given that Google does numerous tests, it’s not clear this will get a broad rollout. In testing this functionality, Google is likely responding to the growth of “nearby” or “near me” queries.

Last May, the company said that such searches had doubled in the past year. Roughly 80 percent of those searches came from smartphones.