Finding Similar Words with Google Sets

Our final word-related search feature is one that's still in development at Google Labs. I'm talking about Google Sets, which lets you enter two or more related words, and Google Sets displays other similar terms to complete the set.

You access Google Sets at labs.google.com/sets/. As you can see in Figure 9.8, the main Google Sets page is actually a form. All you have to do is enter a few terms from the set you want to complete, and then click either the Large Set or Small Set button.

Figure 9.8. Searching for related words with Google Sets.

[View full size image]

The resulting page, like the one shown in Figure 9.9, displays a longer list of terms predicted from the short list you entered. You can expand this list by clicking the Grow Set button beneath the list.

Figure 9.9. The results of a Google Sets search.

[View full size image]

For example, if you enter the terms round, square, and rectangle, Google Sets returns the terms triangle, oval, circle, hexagon, and so forth. If you enter the terms dog, cat, and bird, Google Sets returns the terms horse, rabbit, fish, snake, and so forth.

How might you use Google Sets? One use is to help you "fill in the blanks" when you're writing or creating lists. Another use might be to expand your own set of query terms when you're using Google to search an unfamiliar subject.

Google Sets is interesting, in any caseeven if you can't find a direct application to your current task.