Google testing lay out changes on Search Options

Mon 23 November 2009 09:11, Bas van den Beld

Searchengineland reports that Google is testing a new way of presenting the Options-tab in the search results. The new display is set to be launched after the New Year.

Google wants to improve the user interdace. The more colorful options bar should make it easier to navigate for users.

With the new lay out Google wants to be more 'predictable'. Marissa Mayer of Google stated:

“We’re basically looking at a new look and feel for Google. It’s an overall cleaning up of the search results page.”

Google gives the main topics an icon and re-arranges the order. The 'more' tabs below a specific topic (like video) allows you to use all the Google services. In other topics things like "See Also" (suggestions) and "Show search tools" pop up.

The option bar will be always open, which is a big change compared to now, where you have to click on the options tab to start using the options. This will have a huge impact on the way we are used to seeing Google. The most left part of the page will then no longer be the place where the search results are placed. That will also be of influence on the way people look at search results, as eye tracking research has shown us in the past.

Google is for now testing the new lay out. Searchengineland says there are already people seeing the new design. We haven't seen it 'in the wild' yet. Have you? Let us know, and let us know what you feel about the changes.

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Comments (2)

- Yoshimi_s
- [website]
I can't help thinking it looks like the Yahoo home page, which seems like the strangest move to make!

Mon 23 Nov 2009, 11:00
- Joe Wilson
I'm getting the revamped page and it's horrible. If I wanted to waste all that horizontal space, I'd do it myself. The button colors are garish. There's no apparent customization capability either. I want to shut this thing off but can't.

They're trying to play catch-up and that's a loser mentality,

Tue 24 Nov 2009, 14:44

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