Google search results layout updated?

when and why was google updated?

[zRonin]

I've been on a Mac for the past week using Safari, so this might be old news to everyone else, but when I opened up Google and did a search today on FireFox everything looked different. Instead of ads, the searchtime, and links at the top, google has added links to the left column with what I assume is 'hit accuracy' for its products: images, maps, news, groups.

Then at the bottom it has stats... but no images for the 10 next/previous pages.

I hate it. I miss the ads (believe it or not, they were helpful), and I want results to show up flush with the left side of the screen. These new links to other google services are not only distracting, but incredibly innacurate. I did a search for my own website, and the bar for "maps" was ridiculously high, but when I clicked on it, I got no results within maps.

Does anyone else agree?.. or is there another topic on this? I can't believe no one has posted yet.

[tedster]

I just confirmed with zRonin that indeed his was not logged into any Google account -- the new search results page was served to him as an anonymous visitor. Still, I can't get it from here so I assume that this is some kind of test.

It is the same kind of layout we've discussed here before -- with a left hand column that lists: "Images, Maps, News Groups, Froogle and more"

[RonPK]

I've just seen it too - in one of my browsers, that is. It was gone once I deleted all Google cookies.

It creates a lot of whitespace on the left, below the 'other searches'. I wonder what purpose that might serve.

[edited by: RonPK at 7:48 am (utc) on Aug. 21, 2006]

[plasma]

I miss the ads

If that will push more advertisers to the content network, it's fine for me :)

[Marcia]

On a local search, there's a map to the left of the first listing and it makes it look like Google is featuring that particular company, who may be good or could be lousy, but either way it looks like a special endorsement by Google.

For one thing, it isn't fair for advertisers being overshadowed in their paid listings in favor of a freebie at #1.