Source: Android Central
What you need to know
- Google is currently testing a feature called 'Profile Cards' for its search engine.
- These show up a small widget that appear at the top of the results page whenever someone searches for your name.
- You can also customize it to show only the information you want.
Google is seemingly working on a virtual business card-like feature for its search engine. The new 'Profile Cards' show up as a small card at the top of the results page when someone searches for you by name. They function similar to the cards that Google will throw up to the right of the page when you search for a famous person/organization.
While Google has not yet announced the feature, it was discovered by Android Police on support pages on Google's website. These have, unsurprisingly, now been taken down.
When Google finally rolls them out officially, it'll let you customize your Profile Card so you can choose what the first tidbits of information someone sees about you are. Of course, this doesn't mean that the regular search results about you will disappear — people can still find your birthday, for example, by finding your Facebook profile via Google — but it does let you have some control.
Source: Vidhan Raut @ XDA Developers
Even if you choose to ultimately hide it, it seems that you will still need to provide a bunch of information, such as your name, location, summary, and occupation so that the search engine can distinguish between different people with the same name.
According to the now-removed support pages, you'll need to search for your name (or "add me to google" or "edit my search result") on Google via a mobile device in order to access the option to create and edit your profile card. You'll also need to be on a personal account, so G Suite accounts will not work, which is a weird choice since the feature is perfect for professionals wanting to advertise their services and herd people searching about them to their business website or LinkedIn.
The company is seemingly already testing the feature in India. Thanks to an Indian user's tip to XDA Developers, we now know what the cards will look like. It's unclear when profile cards will be available elsewhere, but since Google's already made the effort of populating its support forums with relevant queries, we'd assume it'll be sooner rather than later.
Get More Pixel 4
Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL
Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?
Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Review: Outriders on PS5 is a fun game saddled with a forgettable story
Outriders' gameplay is enjoyable and fast-paced, but it insists on tacking on a boring story, dull voice-acting, and a number of design flaws. It's a good looter shooter, but maybe not a great game in general.
Facebook bringing audio chats and podcasts to Android this summer
Facebook has announced a suite of new audio features that it's bringing to the platform this summer, including its Clubhouse-like Live Audio Rooms.
HTC EVO 3D: Revisiting a decade-old technological dead-end
Right as HTC was peaking in popularity, so was one of the oddities of 2011 tech: 3D. I picked up the phone that combined the two to see why it ultimately failed.
Protect your Galaxy A51 in glitter and glam with the best cases
It's tough when you end up scratching or dropping your new phone, especially when you have a phone as great as the Galaxy A51. These are the best cases that you can get to help assist against any potential damage.