Search for Google isn't so much as product as a search for
perfection. Last year, the company made over 500 changes to the way
its search system works, some algorithmic adjustments and some
design revisions.
"Here at Google, we're constantly evolving," explained Google
Product Manager Johanna Wright in a phone interview.
Google's evolution continues with the launch of an enhanced search
results page that makes it easier to find relevant search results.
"The new design refreshes and streamlines the look, feel and
functionality of Google, making it easier to pinpoint what you're
looking for," said Google VP of search products and user experience
Marissa Mayer in a blog post.
Google has made its easier to restrict results to specific types of
content using the left hand pane on its search results page.
Options include: Everything, Images, Videos, Books, Maps, News,
Shopping, Blogs, Updates, and Discussions.
The company has also made the design of the Web pages used to
present search results of a specific type more consistent.
The query-related search tools, launched in May 2009 and located
just below the content type selections in the left hand pane, now
adjust to suit the chosen content type. Selecting Images, for
example, brings up the search-by-color query-related search
tool.
Conducting a search for "rolling stones" returns a selection of
similar bands in the "Something Different" selections in the left
hand pane.
"If you switch to images, not only has main panel changed to show
images but tools also changed to be more image-focused," said
Wright.
Google has even given its four-color logo a make over. It features
a smoother gradient, brighter colors, and a reduced drop
shadow.
Google isn’t making any metrics available to quantify how
its changes affect user happiness, but rest assured that the
revised Web pages have been thoroughly tested in the company's
usability lab.
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