Google Testing Reading Time Filter in Search Results

Google is testing a new feature in the search results that allows searcher to filter the search results by the approximate time it takes to read the article.

The tool is accessed through the Tools filter.   The new filter is a drop down that says “Any duration.”  Then the searcher can choose between 3 time durations:

• Short (0-4 min.)
• Medium (4-20 min.)
• Long (20+ min.)

Aysun Akatrsu spotted the test.  It was showing up primarily for informational queries.

While this shares the same UI as the similar video tab search, which allows sorting based on video length, this version selects based on content length and estimated reading time.  But this clearly isn’t for video search, as it is in the “All” tab not “Video”, and not for a video heavy search.

This does remind me of the old filters in the search results where you could filter results by reading level.  That was removed several years ago.

This does seem to be a test and it is not showing up for all queries.

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Jennifer Slegg

Founder & Editor at The SEM Post

Jennifer Slegg is a longtime speaker and expert in search engine marketing, working in the industry for almost 20 years. When she isn't sitting at her desk writing and working, she can be found grabbing a latte at her local Starbucks or planning her next trip to Disneyland. She regularly speaks at Pubcon, SMX, State of Search, Brighton SEO and more, and has been presenting at conferences for over a decade.

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