Trending-topics search feature for Google Mobile page

Google might be quietly testing a new trending-topics search feature for its mobile search page. Though Google has refused to comment on the new function,it was probably rolled out to a small group of users to road test appeal and usage, reports Mashable.

This new feature is in line with a number of other new value-added additions that search engine has brought to its mobile search page in an attempt to make the feature as robust as possible for users.

The new search function, which was spotted by the senior editor of Mashable is similar to the trending topics sections on Facebook and Twitter and works from within the mobile search bar. When users type in a letter or word, a dropdown list of suggested trending topics, including videos, appears.

Clicking on one of the topics takes users to a collection of related articles.

Beefing up its search feature is part of Google's plan to drive users away from apps and back to the mobile web. Building out additional search features that make navigation easier on the mobile web is one way to bring users back to its platform and also to stay relevant within the changing mobile environment.

Google has introduced a number of new features in the last one year including a box of videos that users can watch from within the results, Twitter cards on related topics, and the ability to stream and download related mobile apps directly from within the search results.