Google adds features to Squared search tool

Google Squared is designed to build a collection of facts from the internet

Google has expanded its Google Squared application, adding a number of new features, including the ability to sort data and export it to a file.

Google Squared was launched a year ago, and is designed to make it easier to find basic facts, such as a celebrity's date of birth.

"In one year, we've come far enough with our experimental Google Squared technology to start using it to help you formulate your search and find exactly the information you're looking for," said John Provine, technical lead at Google, in a blog post.

"Today we're expanding that effort so that when you're looking for this kind of simple fact, we give you more accurate answers right at the top of your results sourced from across the web."

Users will be able to corroborate answers by comparing them against a selection of sources. This is activated by clicking on a new 'show sources' link, and Provine said that users can tell Google if they spot a mistake or incorrect answer.

Google Squared has also had an impact on the left hand panel recently added to Google's search results pages. The 'Something Different' option will now suggest similar and related options and alternatives.

"Just as Google Squared can put together a table of zoo animals, with 'Something different' we automatically find other entities in the same category, such as gazelles and rhinos," he said.

"This helps when you want to browse a broad topic using Google, rather than dig for a specific bit of information."

The new features will roll out this week.