Google just added an insanely useful desktop search shortcut

Google has quietly rolled out a new search shortcut for desktop users that is deceptively useful during the workday. As of now, users can press a single key on Google's search results page to pull back open the search field, updating the search term without ever lifting a hand to use the mouse or trackpad.

The new feature was 'announced' by a small message box desktop users see in the bottom corner of their search results page, as first spied by 9to5Google; it reads, 'Press / to jump to the search box.'

When you press the '/' button, your cursor moves to the text field at the end of your search query, enabling you to quickly remove and add terms or scroll down through the suggested search queries. The shortcut key only works when you're on the search results page, not the home page.

This is ultimately a very small change, but one that proves insanely useful when you're often using Google for work or school. The amount of time saved by avoiding the mouse entirely adds up over time, not to mention getting you to the search results you want faster.

It's unclear whether the feature is now available for all Google Search users on desktop or if it is rolling out more slowly. Our own test of the new shortcut found that it worked, though we never saw the shortcut notification on the search results page.