Autocomplete is a technology that provides text predictions as you type. For example, when you type a query in a search box, autocomplete will display a list of suggestions that begin with the string you have typed.

The suggestions provided by autocomplete are typically based on a history of user searches recorded by the search engine. However, the autocomplete algorithm may include information such as your location or your browsing history as well. That means the autocomplete suggestions you see may not be the same as someone else's.

Autocomplete serves two main purposes — to provide search ideas and to save you time. If you see a search phrase you want to use, you can simply click on the suggestion or use the arrows on your keyboard to navigate to a suggestion, then press Enter.

PC.net supports autocomplete, so you can try it for yourself using the search box at the top of this page! =D

Updated: December 28, 2017

Definition from the PC Glossary