Google has improved its app search feature on Android by adding install buttons in search results; the improved search function will also affect Android search rankings, according to the official Google blog.
App search has long been a sore spot for app developers, but Google is looking to remedy the problem by helping users discover app content more easily. Google’s blog claims to have indexed more than 30 billion links within apps so that users can now discover apps without installing. Install App buttons will also now appear in some relevant searches on Android for developers using App Indexing. Tapping the install button will lead users to the Google Play store, where they will be directed to download the app. Google also announced that App Indexing will impact rankings on Android devices.
In another move, Google hopes to help users with physical searches as well as online queries. Googling “Find My Phone” will now offer users the option of ringing phones that are misplaced in the home or car or using geo-location to find missing phones via Google Maps. To use the “find my phone” feature, users need simply download the newest version of the Google app.