I have seen reports of several interesting Google user interface (UI) experiments in the last few weeks. Most recently is one the removes the page previews (I wonder how many searchers really ever use that feature) and makes the cached link available under a tiny triangle, rather like Bing does. I came across this experiment when logged in and using Firefox. Someone else has a video of how it looks when not logged in. Here’s my comparison of the current interface with the experimental one:
I would not be surprised to see the previews disappear. I just hope that the cache link (and copy) remains, under this triangle like Bing’s or somewhere easily accessible.
So how many of these experiments does Google run? If it seems to happen more often lately, it appears that Google searchers can see as many as 12 tests every time they do a search and that 5,000 such experiments every year. No wonder Google results can change so often! Interested in some of the other recent experiments? Here is a linked list with a few that have been documented:
- Google Tablet Interface: 3/28/13, orange links and new search tools location
- Google Removes Black Bar at top: 3/16/13, an experiment that would make it difficult to get to Gmail and other Google apps
- Embedded site search: 3/15/13, a test adding site search within the search box to help those who don’t know site: syntax
Other experiments are certainly showing up for other searchers. Which ones may be adopted, only Google knows.