Online measurement firm comScore has announced changes in how it measures search engine usage, reports Reuters.

The main point to revisit is the definition of what constitutes a search. Previously comScore looked at queries entered into the search box. Now it means much more than that.

The new measurement platform counts not only a single search but sub-searches as well. That means if someone runs a search on Google.com that counts as one search. If they click the "News" tab after doing so to find stories on that subject, that counts as a second search.

comScore will also look beyond US shores to measure the usage of engines popular in other parts of the world.

Traditional means of measurement, particularly online measurement, have seen recent evolution. Last month, for example, Nielsen announced its decision to stop using pageviews as the gauge for a site's popularity, considering time spent on a destination instead.