Google Adds Spelling Suggestions

Google ( http://www.google.com ) has added a new search feature and/or syntax to their search engine. They now do spell checking with their searches.

For example, do a search for "treee" (three e's.) Google will ask below the search box, "Did you mean tree". There will also be a "more" link which will link to you other spelling suggestions for treee.

This "more" link is powered by the spell: special syntax. Enter spell: followed by a word and Google will provide suggested spellings. It doesn't appear that you can mix this syntax with any other, though -- try spell:crak concrit and Google will provide weird phrase suggestions, starting with crack concrete. (spell:crak spell:concrit gets even weirder, so don't even.)

Longtime readers will remember that I dinged Raging Search for their spell suggestions, finding it counter to the idea of a powerful and friendly engine. Google's spell suggester appears to be more intelligent than Raging Search. For example, enter Elvis in Google and Google searches for Elvis without making spelling suggestions. Raging Search asks if you meant elvish. Enter Elvis Presley and Google obediently searches for Elvis Presley. Raging Search asks if you meant elvish, parsley. Feh.

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