Google is testing shading the background color in gray behind the favicon and site name and URL for the mobile search results. It brings a little bit more of a design flair to the ten blue links, don't you think?
Here is a screenshot from Gagan Ghotra on X who said, "I'm just seeing one color being used for background so seems like it's not something that Google do for Knowledge Panels - changing background color for different queries."
Here is dark mode:
I'm seeing a new layout (background corner around sitename) for the first time in Google results in the USA.
— Vijay Chauhan 📈 - SEO for Enterprise Businesses (@VijayChauhanSEO) June 11, 2024
I've also noticed several layout changes like this. Not sure if it's completely new or if it's been around for a while.@rustybrick , any thoughts on this? pic.twitter.com/8s7qd6waPa
What do you think of this design?
Forum discussion at X.
Note: This was pre-written and scheduled to be posted today, I am currently offline for Shavout.
Update: It seems live for me on Sunday, June 16th:
I’m seeing the new Google mobile search interface https://t.co/GUxc8VCZLx pic.twitter.com/gih8rpv8Fb
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) June 16, 2024
Update: The shaded design is on videos too:
More screenshots of new UI for video pack in Google's Search Results it's mobile only for now 🙂 pic.twitter.com/MVS2pnJ3TS
— Gagan Ghotra (@gaganghotra_) June 19, 2024
Update 3: Another variation of this test:
Google is now testing out a new display for mobile search results, featuring a light grey background for the favicon and site name. Another difference is the URL being placed beside the date. This test is an extension of another recent test. Details: https://t.co/d5ztTaCf7O pic.twitter.com/v3KCzgTBfK
— SERP Alert (@SERPalerts) August 30, 2024
Update 4: Frank Sandtmann spotted another difference, he posted on Mastodon:
Update 5: More variations of this:
🔴 ICYMI: Google is Testing, Showing URL with favicon after site name
— 𝕏 (@iSagarBedi) October 5, 2024
Not only search results but reflecting on Featured Snippets too
1️⃣ Favicon
2️⃣ Name of Site
3️⃣ Domain, URL of Result
Now you know the Domain, URL you are going to click@rustybrick #SEO #Google @gaganghotra_ pic.twitter.com/nfuEV5Lg9s
@rustybrick Is Google testing a new design with rounded buttons for site names in SERP? 👀#SEO #GoogleUpdates pic.twitter.com/2qh7pZsCt8
— Manikandan N (@ManikandanNSEO) October 4, 2024
@rustybrick Google is testing Light Gray, to the website name and Favicon on Google search. Here is the screenshots for your reference. pic.twitter.com/5I8TVi5aNJ
— nishant Gupta (@NishantSEONepal) October 4, 2024
Yeap now in desktop results too, I just noticed this one. Also earlier today @RedCardinal noticed it on desktop too and posted https://t.co/3qFJnmRXGj pic.twitter.com/Khf1BYM5sz
— Gagan Ghotra (@gaganghotra_) October 4, 2024
Update: More variations:
Google is testing a new layout featuring sitename and URL in one line, with the favicon and sitename on a very light gray background (#f4f6f7).
— Shameem Adhikarath (@shemiadhikarath) October 18, 2024
cc:L @rustybrick pic.twitter.com/ykSj7ihr0X
Update again:
After Google’s larger favicons test on mobile, showing a full square brand logo, I’ve seen different variations. This can be identified with the Nike logo—before and after—like the one recently shared by @brodieseo @rustybrick pic.twitter.com/3b15JfUtCZ
— Sachin Patel (@SachuPatel53124) January 27, 2025
Yeah, I also found something similar to this last dayhttps://t.co/QkD85o2HnF
— Farhan srambiyan (@farhansrambiyan) January 27, 2025
Update again: A gradiant blue style:
Google is now running a test where the top ranking result on mobile is made more prominent in Search by having blue shading. The blue shade for the top result displays across the section for the favicon, site name and URL. More examples: https://t.co/Dxzmk1Fjkr pic.twitter.com/r9aNSd47ao
— SERP Alert ⚡️ (@SERPalerts) April 20, 2025
Update June 2025: More variations still:
Google test new favicon design for websites @rustybrick @brodieseo @gaganghotra_ pic.twitter.com/TO1rE2sQor
— Sachin Patel (@SachuPatel53124) June 9, 2025
