Bing Cleans Up Its Search Results Page
One of the core points of criticism that I have when it comes to Google Search, is the cluttered search results page. When you search for something on Google, you get lots of ads on top and on the right side of the search results page, as well as cross-promoted Google products that are hard coded into the results. Plus, you see a left sidebar and the top Google bar as well. That's lots of noise, which I do not like as a searcher, nor as a webmaster who gets most of the traffic from search engines.
Bing has just launched a new redesigned search interface that is cleaning up the search results listing big time. The feature is currently on available on Bing U.S. and not on international versions of the search engine.
When you run a search on Bing, you will notice that the search results listing looks completely different than before.
The first thing that you will notice is that the left sidebar has been removed completely. Some of the information that have been available here have been moved to the right side of the search results page, while others seem to have been removed completely from the page.
The second change is the new header, that looks cleaner than the old header. The items remain the same in the header, but they have been moved to the top of the search form.
The new color scheme and layout is also available for other search types on Bing.
Bing Image Search
Bing Video Search
As you can see, some search types are still displaying a menu in the left sidebar. Search options like time-based searches are now displayed beneath the search form on the results page. Filtering search results by time is currently only available if you are using Bing's News search.
Tip: You can change the search engine region on Bing with a click on the region displayed in the upper right corner of the screen.
Closing Words
Simplifying the search results is one option to distinguish a search engine from the behemoth Google. If you just want search, then Bing's new search results page may be more appealing than Google's. But search is not only about design and layout, it is also about results. And while Bing does well in that department as well, many users still seem to favor Google in this regard.
I personally would like to see options like the time filter displayed on all search result pages, or at least as an option that users can enable in the Bing preferences.
Have you tried the new Bing Search yet? If so, what's your take on the redesign?
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I stopped using Google search 3 years ago when I noticed that they promoted their products to the top of search results, and they started data mining the hell out of consumers.
It’s nice to see a trend of simplicity making its way back to the mainstream. Google’s search results are starting to look a bit complicated and overcrowded.
“When you search for something on Google, you get lots of ads on top and on the right side of the search results page, as well as cross-promoted Google products that are hard coded into the results.” Gee, not on mine…AdBlock Plus and Stylish make a wonderful combination.
Same configuration here on Firefox and no ads at all!
On IE a careful choice of tracking protection lists does the same.
I have to check it out. Maybe Microsoft did this with an eye at Windows 8 coming at the end this year.
This is an interesting turn of events. I thought Google started out with the idea of decluttering the search engine. Now Microsoft have taken the same approach and Google have a cluttered search engine!
Martin, are you sure this was an intentional change and not a temporary fault on Microsoft servers. Because, I see the same Bing search results page as it was before. I am in India by the way.
Searching directly from Bing search page (bing.com) did not give that new search results page. However, I logged in, account settings, and the search box on the account settings gives the new results page layout.
It is likely being rolled out gradually.
Sorry – forgot to add- “though changing worldwide search to US and city to Washington does not have an impact.”