We know that Google is constantly running experiments on google.com. Those experiments are only visible to a subset of visitors to test them before they may go live for all users eventually. The majority of tests make small changes to the search page or result’s listing. Some users may not even notice that they are there.
I’m seldom in a test group, but today was different. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Google is testing a new result’s page design.
Take a look at the following page:
Notice anything significantly on that page? Right, both the layout and style have changed dramatically. The titles use a light blue color instead of the standard link color. They are also not underlined anymore.
The description and url use lighter colors as well, and the row height has been changed. The space between results has been increased, and the Cached and Similar Links have been removed.
Here is a screenshot of Google’s old search results layout.
What are the implications? For one, you need to scroll down to see all ten results. I’m running a 1920×1200 resolution which allowed me until now to see all ten search results without scrolling. On the new search results page, I only see eight or nine results on page load.
The lighter title colors make the titles harder to read, and the overall page feels brighter which is more taxing for the eye.
Overall I’d say that the test layout and design is a step backwards. The space between results is to big, the “whiter” colors are taxing my eyes and the missing cached and similar links are missed dearly.
It is unlikely that Google will roll out this new results page to all users of its search engine.
Do you see the new search layout as well? What’s your impression of it if you are?
Update: some users have reported that clearing the cookies reverted the search results page to its old glory. Check out our guide: How To Delete Cookies On A Computer if you do not know how to do that.
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Its really dreadful. Its strains my eyes and i hate scrolling. I will be switching to ixquick.
I have the new layout too and it’s really distracting. It feels harder to read the page because of the paler text color and the extra spacing is awkward and unnecessary. It breaks the flow of the page.
Removed Cached ? Big step to nowhere.
the layout seems more like adsense adverts..lol
I suppose it’s a matter of taste. Judging by your screenshots I like it better.
I can’t read the text its to lite, it hurts a tonne.
Google spends squillions on usability studies and I’m hoping this is one of them. I find it MUCH harder to scan, slightly harder to read and irritating that you get fewer results per screen. It’s not so much a ‘someone moved my cheese’ kind of problem for me, but I genuinely don’t think that this is a move forward.
Please go back to the prev layout, this one is terrible. Why change something which works perfectly just for the sake of change?
If this is future layout, I will switch to Bing.
no, i dont have that new layout…
VIsually, for me it’s more appealing and has a more up to date feel to it. Obviously need to resolve the issues with the too-big gaps between results and the missing cache/similar links.
Apparently, some are seeing something similar but with dotted lines between results, which I think spoils the visual benefits of the layout you’re showing.
I should say though that this opinion is on the basis of having seen screnshots of the test layour – I’m not actually getting it myself at the moment, but there is every chance my view would change on actually using it!!
I also got this new layout. It suddenly appeared as I was searching on google. It is so LAME that I initially thought my settings had been inadvertently changed. I find it much more difficult to read the search results due to the pale colours and I am also really missing the cached facility; in other words, I see no advantage what so ever and will be looking at alternative search engines unless Google reverse those changes. RATING: STEP BACKWARDS
I also have the new layout and it’s terrible. The spacing between result items is way too big and overall the layout feels more unclear than the old one. Please, please do not make this the default.
Cant stand it. Need the cached option and dont like the expanded description of each hit. I need to have an option to switch back to the classic view. very angry as I have work to do
i hate it ..no upside
The new layout is terrible lost all of my visited site that were purple and now I can’t work
I’m really not liking this new layout. I hope one google employee visits this site, because most people liked it as it was. Every font colour is lighter than it used to be which might make it somewhat difficult to find what you’re looking for. I’m carrying out a few less searches on google as it is a bit of a eye strainer.
Hate it.
I only see the new layout when I search directly from Chrome but not when I go through the site. I now see five results instead if eight. It feels like such a waste of screen space. Image results now appear at the very bottom of the page instead of five links down.
Terrible
Reminds me of bing
Annoying.
its horrible, can’t see anything, makes it so hard to read and find things
Looks terrible. Can’t tell what’s a link, what’s a description and what the url is that I may be going to. The old version is way better. This one sucks!
I got exactly the same feeling as someone above – the search results looks like adverts to me. Second to that, it is a lot harder to read, a lot more scrolling and .. well a lot more ugly. If this is the next google looks I’m gonna make the switch to Bing sad enough. It shouldn’t be this hard to read search results.
The new design is horrible. The text needs to be darker and the spacing needs to smaller. I hope they will soon change this test layout so i can get back to the old one.
Btw I’m only seeing the new design in Chrome and only if i do search in my native language.
Horrible, horrible, horrible. Are they serious? The spaces are annoying and totally pointless and I miss the godsend cache-function and the purple color for visited links. How am I supposed to find anything now when websites are down? Or find out easily which websites I visited? Go screw you, Google. If you want to test something, then offer a test mode. I am so angry right now.
By the way, on Safari, there is even more space. http://tinypic.com/r/1xxsur/7
I hope this isn’t a permanent change, I found by going on google.com instead of .co.uk I could avoid this annoying new format.
I have this new layout. It only happens when I use Google Chrome. If I use Firefox etc. It’s fine. Does anyone know if you can change it back?
I find it much more difficult. Really wish they would not force me to be in a test group. Will need to start using a new search engine if this keeps up.
Hate it…..looks like advert catch all page…..no cached…really?
The brightness tipped me off to the changes, (don’t care for it as well) then came the slow realization that extra tools weren’t available. Fail.
I’m using the GoogleMonkeyR userscript and a custom css…I’m not seeing any of the changes that google implemented. Oh wait, no more cached links…damn!
Everything else looks as I’m used to, seriously what’s with people changing things that already work well to crappier forms.
Time to ping Bing.
It sucks. I just wasted 30 minutes trying to find out if I had inadvertently changed the page layout or format. Now I know I did not. Google did it without asking me, or giving me a choice or a way to put it back to the former layout and colors. Its too bright for someone on a computer screen 12 hrs a day like Iam doing research.
If Google is listening, its now too hard on the eyes, the text is too light and harder to read, and it’s spread out too much. It wastes my time and my eyesight. Either go back, or send me the option to go back with my computer only.
Your format and layout just before this lighter brighter text version (5-6-11?) was pretty good.
Humbug! …… this version should go to the Recycle Bin.
What is going on there in GOOGLE? Are you going nuts? This is the most useless style change it could possible be! This styleshit :) is painfull change -> pls get normal and revert back as it was and dont imitate bing and similar foolish internet creations or trends, BING …. hahaha what a funny name!