Google’s new Instant Search looks pretty impressive, but isn’t officially available on Google’s Australian domain right now. Here’s some tricks to get it working
As with most Google online products, Google Instant is being rolled out gradually across its operations, so even some US users on the main Google.com domain haven’t yet got access and may not see it for a couple of days.
Google said in a press announcement this morning that it “hopes” the service will be added to the Australian site “in the coming weeks”, but advises: “People outside the US will be able to use Instant Search through Google.com.” In practice, your success is likely to vary even if you try this. I raised this with Google, which says the service should be available via the .com site down under “in the coming days”.
Two possible strategies might help you get there quicker. Firstly, make sure that you’re signed into your Google account before attempting to access the main Google.com site. Going to google.com will normally take you to the google.com.au site if you’re on an Australian internet connection, so click on the ‘Go to Google.com’ link to access the US site. (Update: the direct address for that option is www.google.com/ncr, as mikelorant pointed out to me on Twitter.)
The second possibility is to use the address www.google.com/webhp?sclient=psy for searching instead. This isn’t guaranteed either — I haven’t managed to get it working from Lifehacker HQ — but it’s worth a try. If you do get access, check out our guide to Instant’s keyboard shortcuts.
threnchpot
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 9:39 AMHi Angus,
It’s possible to trigger Google Instant from Australia with no hacks — just a Firefox Extension called Google Global.
See here: http://damionbrown.com/2010/09/how-to-enable-google-instant-australia/
Andrew Palozzo
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 9:54 AMThe link worked for me.. it’s pretty sweet.
Nodeity
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:36 AMYeah,… I’m a hunt and peck typist, so I doubt it’s gonna work too well for me,… or wait,… thats a good thing right??
Scott Purcell
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:46 AMhttp://www.google.com/ncr worked perfectly! amazing..
Dave
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 2:41 PMYep, that one worked for me, too. It’s pretty impressive.
Travis
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:54 AMNo hacks needed, simply click the “Web” link from the top of your Gmail page.
(assuming you’re a Gmail user, but, who isn’t?)
Angus Kidman
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 11:28 AMLike all these tips, it’s very much luck of the draw — just tried that Gmail approach and still got the old search interface.
James Ponting
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 6:08 PM@ Angus – Try using Google DNS + http://www.google.com/webhp?sclient=psy
It’s worked on all the connections I have tried :)
Then you can put it in your article :D
hifer
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 9:26 PMTRY SEARCHING FOR “PORN” NO INSTANT RESULTS ARE DISPLAYED LOL
Damien
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 12:58 PMor if the above doesn’t work, go to http://www.google.com/instant and click ‘Try it now’
Angus Kidman
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 1:03 PM. . . which, like every option listed here, may or may not work.
parker_michael
Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 8:50 PMIt’s working now on the AU domain.
Harry
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 5:47 PMIm trying and it’s not working. Time to upgrade my browser and also the internet in perth is very slow. I tryed it with solar power on brothers comp and it worked and yes porn diddnt wor either, Understandable!