Google adds Hot Trends to search in Twitter challenge

US Google users will now see graphs if they search popular topics

Twitter's ability to allow users to connect to real-time information on the web has prompted Google to grab a slice of the pie by expanding its Hot Trends feature.

The capabilities, currently available to web users in the US and Japan, will mean that searches for popular topics will include a graph at the bottom of the page with more information. This might include the popularity of the query and how fast it is rising over time, as well as other helpful data.

"We hope it will help you keep up with everything there is to know about the latest trends online," said Google product managers Aaron Wise and Hiroshi Kuraoka in a blog post. "No more being out of the loop at your office water cooler!"

The move is Google's first step in its plans to add real-time updates to its search offerings. Google search executive Marissa Mayer said at a US press event in May that she was thinking of adding micro-blogging messaging to search to bring more value to end users.

Mayer explained that web users are interested in seeing what is happening in real time, as demonstrated by Twitter's huge success.

Google launched Hot Trends last year in the US. The service lists the fastest rising searches on the web at any given hour.

The company gave no word on when the product will come to the UK.