Google Reverts to Simpler SERP Layout - drops left menu

[martinibuster]

Google streamlined the look of the SERPs, removed the left hand nav and pinned a more discrete menu above. Official Google blog post here:

Spiffing up your search results page [insidesearch.blogspot.com]

You’ll notice a new simpler, cleaner design on the search results page — we’ve been working on ways to create a consistent search experience across the wide variety of devices and screen sizes people use today. We started with tablets last year, got it to mobile phones a few weeks ago, and are now rolling out to the desktop.

With the new design, there’s a bit more breathing room, and more focus on the answers you’re looking for, whether from web results or from a feature like the Knowledge Graph...

Google eliminated some local result boxes for single and two word queries, further streamlining the SERPs to make them less cluttered.

What do you think?

[edited by: incrediBILL at 8:57 am (utc) on Nov 7, 2012]
[edit reason] fixed link [/edit]

[TypicalSurfer]

The demise of once a great search engine.

By their own admission they are no longer a search engine, it is all about the "knowledge graph" and monetizing queries, they'll show you what they think is best, no external web sites necessary.

But back on OT, I suppose the new layout is cool in an AOL kinda way. Some folks probably like the console aspect of the thing.

[xcoder]

they'll show you what they think is best

"they'll show you whatever pay them most..." is more like it.


OVERTURE anyone ?

[Rlilly]

Does this not come down to more clicks on ads..more revenues!