Universal search refers to the practice of displaying multiple types of search results on a single search engine results page (SERP), rather than just text-based web pages. This includes various forms of media such as images, videos, news articles, local listings, and more.
The aim of universal search is to provide users with a more comprehensive and relevant search experience by delivering a wider range of information that goes beyond traditional text-based web pages.
For example, if a user searches for a particular topic, a universal search result may display a mix of web pages, images, videos, and news articles related to that topic. By doing so, users can quickly find what they are looking for without having to visit multiple websites or search for additional keywords.
Universal search has become an important aspect of search engine optimization (SEO), as it can impact the visibility and ranking of websites in search results. As a result, website owners and marketers need to optimize their websites and content for universal search by ensuring that their content is multimedia-rich, structured and optimized for search engines.