It's Official: Google's New Top Navigation Goes Live But Will It Remain "Clean"?

Nov 7, 2012 - 8:33 am 8 by
Filed Under Google

Since June of this year, Google has been testing a top down user interface navigation. In fact, they even confirmed the test in September and a few weeks ago, I went on record saying this will be rolled out soon. Yay, I was right.

But I am not happy that I was right. Google said this is a "simpler, cleaner design on the search results page." Yea, for now. I suspect this white area will be used to plaster all sorts of things at the searcher.

In fact, this is what I posted I'd think it turn into back in September:

Google Top Down Navigation

I am currently not too far off, here is what it looks like now:

Google Top Down Navigation

Mark my word, it will get messy and annoying.

In fact, the forums are filled with complaint after complaint about the new interface. Now, that is always the case when Google makes a user interface change, so nothing new there. But I really think this is setting the groundwork for some major changes to how Google sees their search results page and is it for the better? That is up for the searcher to decide.

Forum discussion at Google Web Search Help and WebmasterWorld.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 12, 2025

Sep 12, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Heated Spam Update, Web Declines, AI Mode Updates, AI Max Rolls Out & More

Sep 12, 2025 - 8:01 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Search Quality Raters Guidelines Gains AI Overview & YMYL Definitions

Sep 12, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google Search Tests Dropping 100 Search Results Parameter

Sep 12, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Ads

Bing Tests Microsoft Sponsored Ads With Three Dots By URL

Sep 12, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google

Google Shows AI Overviews For Currency Exchange Rates

Sep 12, 2025 - 7:21 am
 
Previous Story: Google's UK Search Share Drops Below 90%