Google News may soon be getting a nice upgrade on its mobile/iOS/iPad versions. The company is testing a new look and feel that also includes additional functionality not present on the existing mobile/iOS/iPad version of Google News. (Disclaimer: The reason I keep writing “mobile/iOS/iPad” is that we don’t know if this test is limited only […]
Google appears to be testing out a new navigational layout, one that takes the search options that normally show in the left-hand column of a search results page and moving them to above the search results. It seem similar to one that surfaced in June. This is how things normally look: The arrow points to […]
Bryson Meunier spotted new mobile icons in his mobile search experience on Google. He was searching Google on his Galaxy Nexus running Jelly Bean and noticed a new smartphone icon labeled on some of the search results. The icon symbolizes if the web site you are about to click on is smartphone-optimized or not. Google […]
The most interesting development in digital maps may not in fact be the forthcoming introduction of Apple maps in iOS 6. It may instead be the recent launch of mapping app Recce (pronounced “rekki,” which is short for reconnaissance). The company was previously called Mapply, but a trademark conflict motivated the company to change its […]
Alex Chitu reports Google is testing a new feature for the Google Knowledge Graph. The new feature is a way to show an expanded version of the knowledge graph in the top of the search results. Currently, when you search in Google and the knowledge graph comes up, it shows you up to five related […]
Here’s something you don’t see every day: hand-drawn artwork turned into search queries. Wolfram|Alpha has rolled out a new home page that features nearly 300 icons surrounding the traditional search box. The company says each icon is hand-drawn and represents an “interactive starting point” to help users understand better the types of data and answers […]
The SEO Consult blog noticed Google testing a new Sitelinks format. This new format shows the same number of sitelinks to the search listings but adds tabs above the sitelinks to enable users to see relevant sitelinks for the site by category. For example, here are the sitelinks for SEOBook: Google added tabs for “top […]
Google is testing yet another user interface test, this one is where the top thin black bar can be removed completely. Tecno-net spotted this earlier and showed that if you can also remove the top black bar by going to this URL. Google added the thin Google black bar back in June 2011 and tried […]
Google has revamped its format for AdWords that display within Maps for Mobile, in an effort to make them work more efficiently for smartphone users and advertisers. As a part of the new format, which will be made available to newer versions of Android phones today, calls to action like “get directions” and “click to call” […]
Some Google users are noticing a new Google search interface with top down navigation, search options and filters. Currently, the search options and navigation are along the left hand side bar. This new interface has those options across the top of the search results. Here is a picture: Here is a video from Tecno-Net on […]
The “simpler and more beautiful” AdWords version previewed a couple of weeks ago is rolling out to all accounts globally in the next few days, Google has announced. The most significant change is the addition of “campaign types,” which allows advertisers to use an interface customized based on the type of campaign they are creating. […]
Yahoo has announced some significant changes to their Yahoo Image and Video Search tools. They include a deal with sourcing Getty Images most recent collections plus an upgraded user interface design with added features to Yahoo Image and Video Search. Yahoo & Getty Images Yahoo extended their partnership with Getty Images to add their high […]
Google has announced an update to Hot Searches, formerly known as Google Hot Trends. The update gives the page a more magazine look with images from news papers, news stories, related searches, and more. But it appears to remove the ability to search for hot trends by date. Here is a close up of what […]
The “simpler and more beautiful” Google makeover is coming to AdWords. The company is previewing the new look to users and asking for feedback before implementing it. The most significant change to functionality is the introduction of “campaign types” — depending on the type of campaign it is, you will see different options. The idea […]
It looks like the powers-that-be at Google are listening to thoughtful feedback like Matt Van Wagner presented just a few days ago in these pages. The company is making changes to recently-implemented AdWords rotation settings, and also allowing advertisers to opt-out of the auto-optimization altogether. As a reminder, in late April, Google said that a […]
Search launches seem to come in threes. A couple of weeks ago we had Bing Social, then came Google with Knowledge Graph and now Yahoo introduces Axis. When I met with Yahoo earlier this week to hear about it I received the now familiar speech that Yahoo is still very much in search and continuing to “innovate” around […]
Google has announced a new version of the Google Search iPhone app. The new version is version 2.0 and was completely redesigned focusing on speed, usability, new features and making it beautiful. Here are the main new changes you will find in version 2.0: Complete App Redesign Full Screen Mode Option Faster Search Autocompletion Faster […]
Last November, Google tested a new “Sources” section in its search results, in the third column where ads normally appear. It seems the testing is underway again, showing extended information about actors, films, musicians, people and more. It also seems likely everyone may see this extended information soon, and that it’s the “search refresh” the […]
Google announced on the Webmaster Central blog that they have cleaned up Google Webmaster Tools. The three changes include: (1) Updated Dashboard (2) New Left Hand Navigation (3) Home Compact View Here is a picture of the revised dashboard: The new navigation was changed to be more representative of the content and tools within the […]
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing Goes Search-Retro With Cleaner Look For Results Microsoft has started to roll out a new, simpler look for the Bing SERP. It looks very much like the “old Google.” It’s […]
Microsoft has started to roll out a new, simpler look for the Bing SERP. It looks very much like the “old Google.” It’s more spartan than the previous Bing UI — or “clean” if you prefer. As Google has added more graphics, icons and features to its SERPs some have complained that the pages are starting […]
Microsoft has announced on the Bing Search Blog an update to their video search features. Bing Video added larger video thumbnails when you hover over video results in the search results. They also added infinite scroll when you view videos on Bing Video. Additional search refinements for related content and a large video viewer and […]
If Siri is the differentiating feature of iPhones, then Google Maps (and Navigation) are that for Android. It’s the most popular Android app as well as unquestionably the most useful. Today Google announced a new release of Maps for Android (6.5) featuring a richer UI and other improvements. Most of those have to be experienced, […]
The Bing Maps Blog announced several enhancements to Bing Maps. In summary, the changes include: A refresh to the Pushpin buttons and Popup menu Transit symbols and icons were improved Added sharing options to transit directions Ability to now drag to modify your route The explore venue maps option is easier to find The most […]
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the folks at Bing Local are paying Google a very nice compliment with a new display for local search results that looks quite a bit like what Google often shows. As first spotted by BrightLocal.com, Bing’s new local search results no longer consistently show a “pack” of […]
Microsoft and Nokia announced the fruit of their recent mapping collaboration today. Each company has a blog post describing what’s changed and improved (Bing, Nokia). The effort comes out of the companies’ strategic partnership in mobile. As part of that arrangement Microsoft is relying heavily on the Nokia-Navteq mapping and data infrastructure. Nokia for its […]
Despite Google moving away from the large black navigation menu on the web version, it seems like they are testing that exact same version on the mobile version of Google. Alex Chitu posted screen shots of Google testing the new large black drop down menu on Google mobile. Here are pictures: The second image shows […]
Google announced the related search links at the top of the Google Images search results are now visually appealing. You can now mouse over the related search phrase and Google will hover open an image preview of what the first three images look like for that image search query. Here is an example of searching […]
A few months ago, Google introduced a new navigation bar that was black and very large. It was part of the Google+ changes across Google’s properties. Last night, Google announced yet another change to that top bar navigation. The most noticeable change is that most of the main search options are back at the top, […]
Bing is testing a new design for the search results layout. The new design seems a lot cleaner, fresher and more organized compared to the older design. Jason Hart tipped us off listing out the key differences: Vertical tabs removed Top and bottom search boxes widened Search button icon changed Several links removed from header […]
Google has confirmed that they are rolling out a new look for their one line sitelinks. The new look has a small arrow on the left side of where the sitelinks begin. Here is a picture: A Google spokesperson confirmed that these are indeed new and are “currently rolling out everywhere this week.” Google has […]
On Wednesday, Feb 1, 2012, we published an article discussing some changes StumbleUpon made during their recent redesign which removed source links from their content pages and forced all users to view content from the site through an iframed toolbar, which they could not close if they were logged in. One of the things I have […]
Google has updated their URL submission tool page and redesigned their Submit Your Content page. The old URL which was at google.com/webmasters/tools/submit-url/ now returns a page not found (404) error. The issue with that is, Google should really use a 301 redirect because it ranks in the top position for [google webmaster tools] and [google […]
Want to be better at search engine optimization? What all SEO professionals should know about website usability.
Paul from WebRanking noticed that Bing is testing a new bottom bar with more graphically interesting information and media. The new bar replaces the existing bar by adding a Popular Now, Weather, Image and Video boxes. Here is a picture of the new box from Paul: Here is a picture of the old box: Related […]
Blekko is closing out 2011 with a round of updates that affect the search engine’s front- and back-end — both how it looks and how it works. The upstart search engine has announced three changes as part of a “major upgrade” to end the year: 1.) “Significant improvements to index quality and relevance” Blekko has […]
Google announced on their Google+ page that they have revamped the Google Doodles page. Google Doodles is what Google calls their special logos that they put up for special holidays or to remember special people from our history. The new Doodle page has a quick search box at the top, making it easy to search […]
Google Operating System blog reports Google has changed the behavior of the Google +1 button as seen in the Google search results. Instead of the +1 button being displayed by default, it is now hidden until you place your mouse cursor over the search result. Then the +1 button will show up and let you […]
The folks at Liveside.net, an independent blog that covers Microsoft’s online efforts, have posted screenshots of two new Bing user interfaces that some of their readers have seen recently. In my searching this morning, I wasn’t able to see either UI while doing about 5-6 different searches. Liveside calls the first one a “Metro style” […]
I’m at the new Twitter HQ (not for six months) in San Francisco with the tech press corps awaiting a Twitter press conference that I will attempt to faithfully live blog. In the meantime, here are some shots from the new space, which is three floors and exceeds 200,000 square feet. The build out should […]