Last week Google rolled out their most radical redesign of their search page yet – which to be fair, being Google it’s not a drastic overhaul. The new interface includes a navigation-like sidebar down the left hand side of your search results which provides functionality to filter or otherwise narrow down your search results. While the actual functionality is nothing new, it does bring it to the fore-front for users who were otherwise unaware of the features.
The change is significant to Google’s general style of keeping things plain and simple. If anything, it may be a sign that Google is fearing it’s users aren’t able to find their desired results as quickly as before – therefor necessitating the requirement of pushing the filter mechanisms right to the main page. This is simply my personal theory, and whether right or wrong, it’s irrelevant right now. The important part is I, like most, am very resistant to any type of change. The sidebar is arguably not very useful for me and tends to clash with the minimalist opinion I have of Google.
Here is how the redesign Google front page looks now. You’ll notice very little difference initial – perhaps larger fonts and buttons, and the drop-shadow is now gone from the logo. The removal of the trademark is interesting to me!
New
Old
The significant change is only unearthed on the search results page.
New
Old
Not a fan or otherwise despise change? There are a couple of options for you.
First, if you are a user of a browser that supports the user-generated Greasemonkey scripts, like Firefox or Chrome, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that a script exists that modifies the new layout to mimic the old style – at least as it relates to the search results page. Logically titled Old Google it’s a painless way to restore the previous experience.
If you are not a Firefox or Chrome user, or perhaps do not already use the Greasemonkey extension, you can visit a version of the old Google site using a custom URL. Rather than going directly to http://www.google.com change your link to http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=all. It’s clear to me that this is a backdoor entrance that could disappear at any time, but for now it may be your best option to cling to the past; not that there is anything wrong with that!
I wish that Google would go back to their old style home page because the new one is ANNOYING! 1. I don’t like how the search box jumps up and to the left when I start to type, it’s distracting. 2. That they would stop with every key stroke yielding results, it’s also distracting. 3. That also with every keystroke they display “showing results for” as well under the already annoying suggestions drop down box, both are jumping up and down as they constantly update with each letter typed, it’s all too distracting. This all adds up to one huge ANNOYANCE! I use the firefox start page now because it’s less annoying than the actually google homepage. Also sometimes they over do it with their Logo designs and those too become distracting and annoying. What Google doesn’t realize is what actually made Google successful was for 1 main reason: In the old days it was a SIMPLE yet sophisticated search engine and not the annoying creep it’s become. However, it does yeild great results and even though their street views are often outdated by the time they are posted it’s also a great feature. People still flock to Google because of the great search results and maps, HOWEVER most of us are ANNOYED by their Attention Seeking Attitude. I know you can turn the suggestions off but often times they turn back on again. Google should go back to it’s original style and stop letting it’s success go to its head. Also I think the creators of Google are too proud and embarrassed to admit their mistakes and simply go back to their old look. However this would show maturity on their part if they did. They NEED to stop annoying it’s users and go back to the simple search home page that it used to be. NO pages jumping up and down, NO search box that flies around the screen. Minimize the Drama Queen Logos, and just go back to a simple clean looking home page. Also their new drop down menu things looks ugly and it’s also set to open if you accidentily run your cursor over it. Then it branches out over the search box. It too is annoying. I think Googles mistaking its continued success with Nothing Being Wrong and don’t realize that people still love Google because it works however Google is also very annoying and distracting. They’ve created an abusive relationship with it’s users who are trying to ignore the ANNOYING homepage features.