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A new Google interface

ArsTechnica reports that Google is testing a new interface for its results pages. The list of their services has moved from the top to the left, and some green indicators appeared near every item.

What could this mean ? Putting the list to the left is quite logical, as the number of Google services is expanding : there is no more annoying space restriction as in the horizontal placing.

Another obvious advantage is that search results are more visible, especially the first ones, as they moved to the top.

The indicators can have a subtil role. They seems to be alpha code. In my quick testing, it doesn't seem related to the number of items found for the current keyword. But it attracts you (damn curiosity), which can lead to more page views for Google (read "more ads viewed"). Well done.

You can test the new Google interface yourself by opening a google.com window and typing a javascript instruction in your url location bar, if your browser supports it (see the Arstechnica article). This alters your Google cookie. If you don't like the result, just remove the Google cookies.

Some people prefer to create new designs for their favorite websites like Slashdot (A List Apart retooling) or Google (Andy redux).

Some others are more pragmatic and really adjust some website design with a Firefox extension (greasemonkey) and a few greasemonkey scripts. By example, if you really want Google to number its results, use the Google Counter greasemonkey script.

With all those customization options available (ex Google Personalized home page, Windows Live, greasemonkey, etc), it seems some webmaster power is going back to their users hands.

Refs 

• ArsTechnica:
  Take a sneak peek at Google's new interface
• Andy Rutledge:
  Google Redux: a design exercise
• A List Apart:
  Retooling Slashdot with Web Standards