Google Drive launches search chip to make it easier to find files

Search chips are finding more places in Google’s ecosystem.

Update, February 15 (4:25pm ET): Roll out to all Workspace users

what you need to know

• Google has launched a new beta for Google Drive to better filter search results.
• The new feature works similarly to Gmail’s search chip.
• Beta versions are available for all versions of Google Workspace.

Gmail’s handy feature for narrowing down search results to find certain files faster is coming to Google Drive with a new beta update.

Google announced today that the Search chip is available on Google Drive as a beta update. As you might expect, it allows you to refine your search results when looking for specific files stored in Drive. This feature makes the search process faster and excludes irrelevant results.

The search chip will only appear after you enter your initial query. Above the list of results, you can use different chips to further refine your search. Multiple chips can also be used simultaneously. These filters include file location, attachment type, person, date the file was last modified, and tasks.

This process helps ensure that the results are as close to your query as possible. What’s more, it also speeds up the method so you don’t waste too much time sifting through the results you don’t want.

The driver search chip is available for all Workspace tiers. You can filter your search results on the best laptops, but it’s unclear if you can do the same on Android. It’s worth noting that Gmail’s Android app got a search chip in September, so it’s not out of the question for Drive’s mobile app to offer the same.

Google said the beta program will be available to domains in the coming weeks. If you are an eligible end user, you can also join the beta program by clicking here. If you are approved, you will have access to the chips in the Google Groups provided during registration.

Update, February 15 (4:25pm ET) ― Beta search chip completed, now available

After a brief beta phase, Google announced that the search chip is now generally available, meaning you no longer need to sign up for the beta to use the new features. The search chip will roll out to Workspace and G Suite users within two weeks, starting February 15.