Google has rolled out an instant search mid-week onto the main google.com search portal, less than a month after we first reported about this new instant search feature being tested on selected users. Called "Google Instant," the feature brings up search results even as the user types them. Google says this predictive technology shaves off between 2 and 5 seconds from the average 25 seconds of each search.

One search engine marketing chief executive observed that this feature will give Google the power to "guide searchers into more profitable search queries." This could be a big issue, considering that some hotly contested keywords can be going for as much as $30 to $40 per click. However, Google says it is still too early to see how this will impact keyword pricing.

Currently available in the U.S. and six European countries, Google Instant wasn't yet available on the country-level portal in Singapore. I was able to give it a spin by manually selecting the global "google.com" search page.

Overall, the experience is akin to performing a normal search on Google, though I appreciated the seamless manner in which search terms are returned without the need to type "Enter" or click on the "Google Search" button.

Browsing the various forums, I observed that user sentiments seem to vary between those who absolutely loved the feature, or those who hated it and were looking for ways to "turn it off." Sound users found it impressive; others found it not much of a big deal. What about yourself? How would you rate Google Instant?

And yes, you can see the official introduction of Google Instant on YouTube here.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Wall Street Journal
- read this article at eWeek
- here's the CNET News article