Internet search giant Google has updated its search engine to automatically display bitcoin prices when users enter certain queries.
The news comes roughly one month after Google Finance partnered with Coinbase to launch a bitcoin price tracker that enabled BTC-to-fiat price conversions across a wide range of global currencies.
A representative from Google confirmed the update to CoinDesk, noting that the tool works on Google Search’s smartphone app as well.
The spokesperson said:
“You can also ask Google to do conversions – if you have the Google Search app on your smartphone, for example, ask it, ‘How many bitcoin are in 500 U.S. dollars?’ and you’ll get the answer in a handy conversion tool.”
Google’s latest feature follows the February decision by Microsoft’s search engine Bing to automatically convert currency denominations to BTC, and Yahoo! Finance‘s decision to introduce a price conversion offering in June.
How it works
Google search engine users can now type in basic queries such as “bitcoin price” or “price of BTC” in order to instantly access the tool.
The update also handles more complex queries including “price of 3 bitcoin” or “5 BTC”, and responds by showing the current price of bitcoin along with a chart illustrating the currency’s history dating back before 2011.
Investors should note, however, that per Google’s disclaimer policies, the resulting search may not reflect real-time value.
At press time, some global Google Search users were reporting difficulties accessing the offering.
Image via Google