Google is actively improving Gmail’s search results to make it easier for users to find specific contacts. In a blog post today, Google explains the upcoming launch of “intent matching for contacts and email addresses,” as well as new “personalized recommendations.”
By intent matching, Google uses machine learning tools to help you find relevant content about your search, and Gmail will narrow the search results to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, such as a specified contact, an email, or a file.
For example, Google explains that it gives priority to showing matches between email addresses and first names before showing matches for last names. Google previously recommended matching by last name, but now matches by first name instead.
In addition, Google will also prioritize the content of people you are connected within the search results based on how often they interact with a particular friend. Now, when you search by someone’s name or email as a keyword, frequent contacts will be shown first. Although this is all a detailed improvement, it can help you find a certain contact, or a certain email faster and easier.