New Google search UI brings color, search options

Google's new search interface is being tested among small groups of users.

(Credit: Screenshot by Tom Krazit/CNET)

Google's new search results page brings more search options to the fore amid brighter colors that nod at recent changes made by its rivals.

Small groups of Google searchers over the past week or so have seen the new design as the company tests the new user interface, but not everybody was able to gain access to the interface. On Wednesday, Gizmodo published some tips on how to force Google into serving the new pages, and therefore we can bring you some screen shots of the new look and feel for Google search.

The first thing you'll probably notice is the left-hand rail, which has Google's search options feature presented in full color and in permanent position: previously, you had to toggle the search options feature at the top of the search results page, and the links were presented in Google's classic spartan blue. The search bar at the top of the page also has a big blue "Search" button in place of the gray button that used to occupy that space.

Marissa Mayer, vice president of search products and user experience at Google, told Search Engine Land last week that the new pages are designed to eliminate inconsistencies in how Google presented search results after it added several new elements to the page. But it also mimics what Yahoo and Microsoft have been doing with their search results pages, focusing on presentation and new ways to sort results.

Let us know what you think of the new search user interface. Fair warning: the procedure described by Gizmodo caused a few temporary issues for some CNET folks that cleared up upon a few refreshes. Google will be testing the new pages for several weeks before deciding what will make the final cut for all searchers.

[phatak_madhu]

Nice UI...but its look similiar to Bing ...may be even Google likes copying from others

[JasonCe]

It is not just similar. Google is copying Bing. <br /> <br />Good to see Microsoft innovating and gaining market share. BING RULES!

[Mr.Californian]

I suppose this could be seen as somewhat copying bing, but I think it would be more appropriate to say that they are following a UI trend, or perhaps they have actually done research tests like they do even for the spacing between search results. You realize that they don't go home and say, "gee, bing looks neat, let's copy that", right? They have extensive tests to see what people like better. Bing's colors aren't nearly this bright or simplistic; they have a random picture as a background for the header that annoyingly changes daily (I prefer consistency, but that is admittedly a personal choice). Oh, and most importantly, bing's results suck. What's that? 9% market share?

[jtjt145]

The above 2 comments would have been made by paid Micro$oft shills. Every time they write the word *bing* onto the screen, it makes BLING in their pockets.

[apple-pi]

@JasonCe<br /><br />"It is not just similar. Google is copying Bing. "<br /><br />Of course the original search results UI Bing copied from Google... and the travel search Bing copied from Kayak... and the "similar searches" functionality Bing copied from Amazon and Ask...<br /><br />If the idea is good, it is worth copying. But I find Google search results much better, especially when it comes to more obscure searches.

[topgunb2]

@ jtjt145 if MS gives multi touch on windows 7 (not even a phone) its perceived to be copying apple.<br /><br />google in this case is copying bing, and who said copying is bad?

[lazycat202]

Apple sued over defective iMac displays<br />http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/05/apple_sued_over_defective_imac_displays.html<br /><br />27" Core i7 iMacs Arriving DOA or With Cracked Screens<br />http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/24/core-i7-imacs-showing-up-doa-including-ours/<br />http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2235367<br />http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10620546<br />http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=820271

[adhetola]

I find it interesting that I see articles that don't hesitate to mention how Company-A embraced changes made by Company-B...especially when it concerns MS. Its funny the author of this article said "Google's new search results page brings more search options to the fore amid brighter colors that nod at recent changes made by its rivals" ... and by "rivals don't you mean Bing?

[delacombo]

About time Google did something with their search UI. That has always been lagging. Looking forward to it's unveiling.

[dziogo]

My first response is: "BING".... but then I realize just visually Bing..

[WillyWiggler]

Yeah, what's up Krazit? <br /> <br />" ...brings more search options to the fore amid brighter colors that nod at recent changes made by its rivals" . <br /> <br />How many credible "rivals" does Google really have? Why not just say "bing". <br /> <br />Seriously, you're like the biggest Google sycophant ever. I get kind of embarrased when I read your articles. Someone at google could shart, and you would have an article on CNet all "OMG!! It's a gShart! This is going to change the way the world of defecates! Come to CNet for continuing up-to-date coverage on this juicy new offering from Google".

[adhetola]

Thanks WillyWiggler. That's exactly what I thought, as shown in the comment by "adhetola" above. <br /> <br />I don't understand why it was difficult to say, at least "Google is embrasing the visual aesthetics of Bing". But then this is cNet...some authours are just obviously biased, of if I may use your words "sycophants".

[Tom Krazit]

Did you stop reading the article at that sentence?<br /><br />Keep going.<br /><br />"Marissa Mayer, vice president of search products and user experience at Google, told Search Engine Land last week that the new pages are designed to eliminate inconsistencies in how Google presented search results after it added several new elements to the page. But it also mimics what Yahoo and Microsoft have been doing with their search results pages, focusing on presentation and new ways to sort results."

[tonari-no-totoro]

Where do the ads go in this new design??? In the old design, the right column was reserved for ads. If you also have the new left-hand menu that would not leave much space for te search results themselves....

[t8]

Nice. I like it.<br /><br />It looks more like a modern Google.

[dhavleak]

You'll really like Bing then -- it's been doing this for a while already :)

[t8]

No, don't like Bing.<br />It has to work as well like Google.<br />Eye candy on it's own is pointless.

[Mergatroid Mania]

I wish they would leave the pages that are just trying to sell you something in black, and the pages that are actually relevant to your search in colour. <br /><br />I really get tired of wading through all the junk to find what I'm actually looking for.

[DanHolloran]

Basically the way I see it I think that Google is the only company lately really doing anything innovative in the computer world right now... Every other company I see is updating there existing products so they can make more money when they should've just done it right in the first place (i.e. Win 7) I personally use google as my search engine returns way more relevant results and is more colorful... Bing is just drab and boring so even if it takes up more space on the page it'll make navigation easier in the end... I also use Google Chrome because I've ran it against every other browser I can find on multiple different computers and on all different kinds of operating systems and it hands down out performs anything else I've ever seen... So maybe Cnet is biased or maybe Google is just producing more then any other company... even though I've seen just as much about coverage on what the other guys are doing which maybe in the end isn't really much

[t8]

Agreed.<br /><br />Google is an exciting company to watch. Their products are top notch.<br />Microsoft gave up being excited years ago, when they decided to focus on Windows and ignore the amazing possibilities on the Web. Sure they did some things on the Web to try and stay relevant, but they largely ignored innovating on the Web and so they left a gaping hole for someone else to step up. And Google stepped up.

[Super2online]

Producing more than any other company? Wow it doesn't get any more biased than that. I know you really don't want me to create the list that proves this wrong so I guess I will just state that you're way off base on that one at let that suffice.

[ithomas94]

I'll have to call BS on the Chrome conclusion.<br />You realize that Browser speed comes down to three things?<br />1. Conneciton speed.<br />2. Processor speed.<br />3. Last, browser efficiency.<br />On my 64-bit Ubuntu Karmic, Firefox outperforms Chrome every time due to Ad-Block Plus forcing Firefox not to load the Ads, instead of simply blocking them visually. Firefox also has NoScript, which doesn't let Firefox load malicious JavaScript either. Chrome currently has no comparable extension.<br />I've found Bing to be much more colorful and visually attractive than Google's search engine.<br />"Every other company I see is updating there existing products so they can make more money when they should've just done it right in the first place"<br />That's all up to personal opinion. Obviously you haven't been keeping tabs on Nokia's Maemo OS, have you? <br />Or Microsoft's Zune line?

[ithomas94]

@t8: Microsoft is a software company, not a search-engine company. Being a software company means you have much more on your plate than a search-engine company would have.<br />I don't see Google with an easy-to-use OS. I don't see Google with a dedicated Office Suite. Simply put, your argument is stupid. Because you're trying to compare apples to oranges.

[8ball629]

I'm sorry... I just don't see how you can say that they're copying Bing. There are similarities of course... as a search engine UI can't get too complex (with the exception of Yahoo) but the results pages are noticeably different.

[eltoro2827]

In other words it bing.<br /><br />Notice live.com was never a threat.... More and more people are using bing.<br />You only copy someone style if it is a danger to your business.<br /><br />I don't work for ms but I would love some bling.<br /><br /><br />GO BING!!!!

[t8]

Bing is taking some market share of Yahoo, but not Google.<br />Bing needs to be 10 times better before it starts to even seriously compete with Google.

[Super2online]

@t8 - For those willing to look at Bing without bias they see the many benefits users can reap from a user interface that gives you the answer's in the search itself, not just links to sites that "might" give you what you're looking for. Google agrees or they wouldn't be adding the same type of features. Google also see's Bing gaining market share and understands that obviously many people want these features or Bings market share wouldn't be increasing. Google also knows that once full approval is given to the Yahoo merger of Bing search results, Bing shares jump to 30% in one fell swoop. That gives them enough clout to attract many more advertisers. <br /> <br />All of that aside, Google users should be looking at this as a plus for everyone. Good competition always improves the experience and usefulness for all users. I hope that this heats up and contiues as we will all be better for it.

[slecalvez]

Go Bing!

[t8]

and gogo Google.

[myles taylor]

I love the simplicity of Google. It's nice to bring in more colors and options but don't change too much Google. I don't need fancy graphics in a search engine!

[linuxroadwarrior]

I'm with you there. Less is more. Google was great because of it's simplicity. Isn't that why everyone used it originally?

[Super2online]

I have only seen one area where Bing ads graphics other than images and videos, which every search engine includes. When you go into the travel area Bing includes arrows as a visual indicator of whether or not it's a good time to purchase tickets based upon current trends. KPI's essentially to spot a good deal in a micro second, and they are very useful.

[Super2online]

When you want simple, go to Google, when you want more go to Bing.

Google no need to worry about spyware in our products - its built right in! <br /> <br />This is a blatant rip off of the Bing user interface imagine if MS did this the whole blogosphere would be screaming MS steals interface from Google!! How about some balanced reporting next time Cnet

[alskiontheweb]

Bing is flat out better. As Google plays catch-up to it, Bing will move further ahead. They still haven't copied the best feature which is the preview of the page from the results sampling. I'm waiting for Google to "innovate" that one. Ah, but no worries here, Google will do no evil...

[t8]

Oh yeah. Bing is totally original. They didn't rip off Google and Ask.com.<br />They never ripped off Apple and Netscape. Nor did they rip off ICQ or AOL.<br /><br />Ha ha. Microsoft does no evil, rather it is evil.

[Super2online]

@t8 - I find it comical that copying is ok as long as the service you use is doing it, but when someone else does it, it's not ok.

[ithomas94]

You realize that Apple wouldn't even EXIST if it weren't for Microsoft?<br />I would LOVE to argue this with you, but you're obviously an extremely biased individual who can't produce an objective argument without assistance. <br />Therefore, your words should be considered the words of a troll. Or a shrill. Doesn't matter.

[ChukchansiDan]

So... when tabbed browsing became popular and most browsers adopted it, we didn't feel the need to argue that was unfair?

is it just me or does it look really lame? maybe this look was ok 5-6 years ago before we got broadband but its getting really old

[t8]

If they bloated up their page as you are inferring, then that would;d be a huge mistake for Google.

[Super2online]

It's getting really old because there has been no innovation and competition in the UI to speak of. So Google sat on this design for years, just as Microsoft sat on IE6 for years. No competition. What we are finding out now though (whith no big surprise) is that when geniune competition does show up and the people like what they see and begin using it in greater numbers Google must improve to stay relavant or fall behind, just like IE6. <br /> <br />There actually can be better ways to present what is available and it's best served up hot right in the search engine without having to go to other sites looking, and reading, and not finding.

[Henaway]

What does Bing look like? Seriously, I have no idea. I've never "Binged" before. I prefer "Googling".<br /><br />Personally, I think Google should leave things as they are. Once nice, simple text input and a submit button. It's all I need when I search. All MOST people really need. As long as the results coming back are good, and that's something I doubt Microsoft will ever manage to get right, as they put their own business interests in front of the user's desires.

[dhavleak]

Instead of asking what Bing looks like, wouldn't it be simpler to go to www.bing.com, do a search, and see for yourself? It'll only take 2 minutes, and nobody can ever force you to go back to the site again. <br /> <br />But what's really wrong with your comment is that you've decided that Microsoft has "put their own business interests in front of the user's desires" -- but how did you come to that conclusion if you've never tried Bing?

[Super2online]

As I've stated earlier, people who want "simple" should stick with Google. People who want more, should give Bing a try. My guess is you're going to be pleasantly surprised.

[linuxroadwarrior]

Sigh. I love the good ol' Google interface. Perhaps this will improve *some* people's perception, but personally, I'd like to see a "Classic View" option, if the new UI ever makes it.<br /><br />... then again, I'm just another old nostalgic crank. Go 2000!

[kametzl]

your improvements are always go for the most part, but the mandatory side bar should be kept as an option. it gets in the way and take up screen space. pop-ups and side bars are a pain in the butt.<br />kametzl

[Super2online]

Well, it looks like Google is adopting all those pain in the butt features your loath so much. Enjoy!