Test or New Design?

[The Cricketer]

I've been looking for a mention here of Google's new look, but can't find much. I'm sure that yesterday it didn't look like it does now. The new graphic on the SERPs which they use with the gradient looks pretty good and the looks are similar to Hotmail's new tranformation. It must be catching!

And as for getting rid of the coloured background of the sponsored links at the side, well it's more good news for all you advertisers out there!

[Brett_Tabke]

Sounds like you ran into a one-time test for now? This is not the first time they have done it. There are sporadic reports every month of "new look" google as they do dueling page tests.

[Chndru]

Any screenshots, The Cricketer?

[Imaster]

I would love to check out the screenshot as well. Where are you check it out from? I mean location.

[kaled]

Sounds like you ran into a one-time test. Not the first time they have done that.

I'm seeing a new look consistently (as described) - have been for days now. However, I've been running XP instead of 2000 and assumed that they were just delivering something to match XP buttons, etc. The first time I noticed it was when I fired up XP - a coincidence?

Kaled.

PS I'm in the UK.

[Brett_Tabke]

None of this means anything without a screen shot.

[The Cricketer]

Yeah I'm in the UK too looking at the .com site. But i'm using windows 2000. Here's a screenshot
SCREENSHOT [cscc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk]

[pleeker]

Wow, that is interesting. I like it. The AdWords look like that now on Froogle.com - no colored background.

[pleeker]

Cricketer -- what do you get if you click the "more >>" link at the top above the search bar?

[sem4u]

VERY interesting. Can't see it from the UK.

All Adwords are now on the right hand side, boxes have gone and they take up more of the screen.

No Froogle results though (search word may be too general).

[Chris_R]

try a two word query - like sony ____

[The Cricketer]

if you click on more>> it sends you to 'Google Services & Tools'

Was that 'definition' link always there next to where it tells you how long the search took. It sends you to the dicitonary definition of the word at dictionary.reference.com

I don't seem to be getting any froogle results though.

[pleeker]

The definition has always been in the blue bar, but on the left not the right, and it doesn't specifically say "definition", it just underlines the word(s) you searched for and links you to dictionary.com.

[Chndru]

I guess this new definition uses define: operator. This outlook is XPish very much and cute.

Thanks for the screenshot, The Cricketer. But, the homepage remains the same? Or you see changes there too?

You seeing the same thing, kaled?

[skipfactor]

Hey, thanks, The Cricketer

Please post a SS with Froogle results if you see any. I'm all good with Froogle results up top if the 'up north' AdWords go away. It looks even better than before, and I'm an 'up north' advertiser.

[greyhat]

is there only 8 adwords on each page....or are there more?
(notice also that top sponsors are gone).

[panic]

I surely hope Google doesn't start using result pages like the one in the screenshot posted earlier in this thread. It's like a never ending nightmare where everything is looking like Windows XP, even web pages.

[dnbjason]

I personal think it will be more confusing for the average person. It is not seperated like it is now.

The average person surfing the web is not that internet smart, sad to say, like most of us. So you must seperate things good on your web page to keep the average person from getting confused.

Also from the feedback I heard about hotmail (changing their look), I would say people do not like change that much. Just because the average person has to relearn how to work it. I know it sounds stupid but most average internet user are stupid.

[edited by: dnbjason at 10:44 pm (utc) on Dec. 8, 2003]

[skipfactor]

>>everything is looking like Windows XP, even web pages

& MS swiped it from Apple

I think it's super sharp w/o AdWords on top--looks even less commercial IMO, bravo. Ya'll still seeing it?

[panic]

I personal think it will be more confusing for the average person. It is not seperated like it is now.

It couldn't be because they want the average user to not be able to distinguish web results with AdWords results, could it?

The average person surfing the web is not that internet smart, sad to say, like most of us.

Speak for yourself.

Also from the feedback I heard about hotmail (changing their look), I would say people do not like change that much. Just because the average person has to relearn how to work it. I know it sounds stupid but most average internet user are stupid.

So I guess that means when I say I don't like the way the new Hotmail looks, it's because I'm ignorant. Heaven forbid that I wouldn't like it because there's a million and one different shades of blue on the page. or that the gradients look terrible, or how they just kind of threw in the orange/manilla color to point out unread messages, or that the whole color scheme looks like it was chosen by a 3 year old. It couldn't be because of any of those reasons, it has to be because I'm ignorant.

[finer9]

Panic- of course I heard the rumors. Just because there are buyout talks does not mean they are partners or even like each other! It is well known that Google avoids MS technology when possible, favoring linux solutions, etc...

I have not seen Hotmail as I would not use it, and besides, it is owned by MS, of course it would look XPish

[panic]

Just because there are buyout talks does not mean they are partners or even like each other!

They're still continuing with this rounded, plasticy semi-transparent image "trend" though.

[skipfactor]

>>It couldn't be because they want the average user to not be able to distinguish web results with AdWords results, could it?

It could be Google's trying to differentiate their product (AdWords) yet again after the recent influx of the AdWords copycats.

[kaled]

You seeing the same thing, kaled?

100% consistent.

I'm working on a software upgrade for XP (users expect visual styles - should have done it a year ago) so I'm not switching between XP and 2000 as I have in the past. As I said earlier, I first noticed this when I fired up XP last week for the first time in several months.

Just out of interest, is it possible to design your own style sheet for Google? I have a vague idea that I stumbled across this option ages ago but it might have been another SE.

Kaled.

[panic]

Just out of interest, is it possible to design your own style sheet for Google? I have a vague idea that I stumbled across this option ages ago but it might have been another SE.

You're probably thinking about Hotbot.

[pleeker]

And AlltheWeb used to (and maybe still does?) allow you some measure of control over its appearance via your own personal style sheets...

I don't recall Google ever allowing / offering that.

[kaled]

I think the layout and font sizes, etc. are ok, but I don't care too much for all that blue text. It clashes with my green XP colorscheme. (I couldn't stand to look at blue XP and I need XP visual styles switched on for the work I'm doing.)

GoogleGuy, how about giving us a choice of skins - it's very trendy these days.

Kaled.

[skipfactor]

>>the new design makes sense to me for increasing revenues from AdWords.

MSN shows pages upon pages of "Directoy Listings" for whatever 'money terms' they choose.

"If a tree falls in the forest & nobody's there to hear it, does it make a noise?"

The screenshot: tabs are text links, serps are in your face with the exception of News or probably Froogle, AWs look cleaner, everybody wins from here.

Afterthought: The Cricketer...how about a screenshot of a non-GNews SERP? <drool>

[Chndru]

Ahh...Do we ever NOT turn a google thread into a conspiracy-muddled one?
Ahh..Google sneezed..So they gonna boast sneeze.com in the serps..duh!

__________________
>The Cricketer...how about a screenshot of a non-GNews SERP? <drool>
Yep.. That and the homepage would be cool. :)

[The Cricketer]

I'm at work now and I haven't been able to see the new Google design at work yet. So I'll have to have a look when I get home to see if the new design is still being displayed.

From what I saw, the home page seemed the same as before.