Yet Another Google SERP Layout Test

longer snippets, thumbs, site search

[jamesa]

Via CyberNet [tech.cybernetnews.com] (includes screenshots):

The new layout will provide more information to users about a site simply by selecting the expandable arrow. Once the arrow is selected then more information will be displayed about the site, including a longer description/summary and a related image. They will also include related links to that site to help users find the information they are looking for more quickly.

[mattg3]

With that amount of text + pics (GoogleExp03.jpg on above site), that's basically pulling the whole page for smaller pages into the serps. :\

[balam]

This is probably an implementation of the new Orion tech Google bought recently...

MacWorld: Google tests new results page [macworld.com]

[Reid]

I notice the "search this site" bar in the results. Could that be for sites/pages that display the sitesearch?

[idolw]

ugly. i do not like it.

[skipfactor]

Some publishers aren't going to be too happy with this.

[abates]

From the POV of a searcher, I kinda like it, though I wonder how much it'll increase the size (in bytes) of the search results page.

I wonder how the images are selected and whether there's a danger of ending up with a background image or piece of template.

[ZoltanTheBold]

Do you think this will favor better organized sites that are clearly structured? I am referring to the 'Inside this site' element.

Or am I expecting too much of Google?

[ddogg]

Sweet, now no one ever needs to visit our sites. Yay for Google!

[Reid]

This could be a good thing. If Webmasters are able to manipulate the SERPs (ie what photo appears ect) this could be a nice little 'billboard' in the SERP if it can in any way be controlled you could do a lot with it.