Google's Black Top Navigation Bar Making A Return?

Jul 16, 2014 - 8:09 am 5 — by
Filed Under Misc Google

Google is constantly testing things from new algorithms that we cannot directly see, to the user interface that we do directly see. In a recent Google test, Google is showing the old top navigation bar, in black.

Here is what you should normally see, no top black bar:

click for full size

Here is what Google is testing, that thin black top navigation bar:

click for full size

@HydrophobicDuck shared these photos with me, saying he is seeing the new top bar randomly.

Google has tested the top navigation bar a crazy amount of times. Here are a select few of what we've covered in the past on these tests:

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: November 9, 2026

Nov 9, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility Status: Update November 8th/9th?

Nov 9, 2026 - 7:55 am
Google Ads

Google AI Mode Multiturn Ads Are Live - Follow-Up Query Ads

Nov 9, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Maps

Google Adding Booking Links To Business Profiles Automatically?

Nov 9, 2026 - 7:41 am
Bing Ads

Bing Ads At Top Of AI Mode Results

Nov 9, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Ads AI-Generated Summaries Above & Within Ads

Nov 9, 2026 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Google Search Adds Knowledge Graph Box With Translate Box Instantly