Google to improve search results on health symptoms

The US-based search giant has announced a few improvements in its search algorithm that aimed to provide more accurate information on medical symptoms.

In Google’s official blogpost, the company said roughly one per cent of the searches on Google, which equals to millions of searches, are related to symptoms users are researching. But search related can sometimes be confusing, and result in “unnecessary anxiety and stress,” said Google.

Based on the searches, the company created a list of symptoms vetted by Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic.

Instead of having to search for a condition, the users can now search for a certain symptom, say “my stomach hurts.” In response Google will produce an overview of potential conditions, possible treatments, direction on how to get more information and which type of doctor you may concern to.

Google confirmed the use of its Knowledge Graph System, launched last year to enhance the results it provides.

Currently the new feature is available only through Google mobile site and app, not through the desktop website, and only in English in US. Over the time the company, hopes to make it available to other languages and countries, according to the post.