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Alex Chitu first spotted this new Google test for a navigation element. I then covered it at Search Engine Land and now over here.
Google is testing yet another type of navigation method or user interface. This new one is more like Google's Android OS or Chrome navigation, where the navigation items are within a box button. You click on the button and additional Google products and services show up.
The picture on the right is from Alex, I personally cannot currently replicate it.
Google is not shy about testing a new navigation method. Google said in response to this news that they are constantly testing new user interfaces.
Google has been testing and trying new navigation ideas for years, here are just some of the posts we covered on this topic:
- Goodbye Black Google Bar, Welcome Google Drop Down Menu
- Google's Top Down Navigation Design Going Global
- Google Changes Navigation Bar Again
- Google Tests Black Bar
- Google Testing Another Top Bar Navigation Look
- Google Testing New Alternative Search Navigation Links
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
Comments:
NLC (UK)
03/04/2013 05:08 pm
Interesting. I suspect that Google are anticipating that the majority of web users will be using a touchscreen within the next couple of years, as this new navigation bar seems to lend itself to that.
Bob
03/04/2013 07:09 pm
google need to get more traffic from us away. It constant process and next they will want more money like usually
Marc Winter
03/05/2013 01:28 pm
I suggest they next test hiding external search result links by default, this way more users can stay with the Google services ;)
oblongspider93
03/10/2013 11:50 pm
Interesting, but I can't get the new dropdown bar when I sign into my Google Account.