According to reports, Google is taking a different approach to search by combining the service into one universal search that will integrate a set of results comprising videos, images, news, maps, books, and Web sites.

Presently, the search engine allows users to search for images, videos, news, maps, and books separately. But now with this universal search, users will not have to go through different search properties to find a wide range of information on the same topic.

Reportedly, Google's vision for universal search is to ultimately search across all its content sources, compare and rank all the information in real time, and deliver a single, integrated set of search results that offer users precisely what they are looking for.

However, Google accepted that this would not happen overnight. The company said that at first, universal search results might be subtle but over time, users will recognize additional types of content integrated into their search results.

Talking about this new initiative, Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Search Products and User Experience, Google, said, "The ultimate goal of universal search is to break down the silos of information that exist on the Web, and provide the very best answer every time a user enters a query. While we still have a long way to go, today's announcements are a big step in that direction."

Meanwhile, Google has also added navigation links to search results to suggest additional relevant information available through other search features such as blogs, book, groups, and code.