Exploring 'No Search' Options with Bing, ServiceNow, and Google

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Study: Exploring "No Search" Options with Bing, ServiceNow, and Google

While you might often rely on search engines to quickly find information, there are situations where keeping certain items or data out of search results can be advantageous. In this article, we'll explore the concept of "no search" as it applies to Bing, ServiceNow, and Google's ecosystems.

ServiceNow's No Search Feature

ServiceNow, a popular enterprise software platform, utilizes a "no_search" column for catalog items to prevent them from being searchable within the Service Portal. This feature is particularly useful when users should not have access to specific items, such as internal change processes or sensitive service templates.

Bing's "No Search" Feature

Microsoft Bing, a search engine, is working on a feature that will let users instruct Bing not to search the web for an answer. By using the #no_search hashtag at the end of a query, Bing will provide a response without conducting web searches, which can be beneficial if the answer comes from a reliable source or if the information is proprietary.

Google's "No Search" Extensions

While Google Search's core functionality does not include a built-in "no search" feature, extensions like "No Search For" can be downloaded to remove the "People also searched for" box on the search results page. This feature is helpful for those who find this section distracting or undesirable for certain queries.

In summary, "no search" options are a powerful tool for controlling the visibility of information within various contexts. ServiceNow's "no_search" column helps administrators maintain control over internal processes and information access. Bing's upcoming feature will allow users to instruct the search engine not to search the web for an answer, which can be useful in scenarios where web search results aren't needed or desired. And Google's extensions provide a way to remove the "People also searched for" box, which can be helpful in certain circumstances.