SEO

Google Updates Its Homepage and Search Results Interfaces

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April 28, 2021 (Updated: December 22, 2022)

Google is looking to update its Search interface (including its homepage and Search Engine Results Pages) to improve visibility and optimization for unique screens, regardless of size. 

The Shift From Left to Right 

Currently, on the Google SERPs, the results appear on the left side of the screen. However, Google felt as though the current layout did not optimize the screen well enough on any given screen. So now, we will see our Google results on the right side of the screen instead. The Google logo that currently resides in the upper left corner will soon appear on the right, alongside the search bar and results. 

For example, this is like moving the furniture in a room because you don’t like the current layout due to the visibility to the TV. Once moved, the TV can be seen from all angles. Well, Google is attempting to rearrange the results so they can all be seen on any given screen, even the most unique sizes. 

Optimization of All Desktop Screen Sizes

The rather vanilla layout of the SERPs do not properly translate on each and every desktop screen, resulting in obstructions of certain features. These features include the login button on the top bar of the screen, which does not currently appear on all screen sizes. While they can be accessed by simply scrolling from left to right, not all users will do that to log in. They will instead choose to look on their phones, leading to fewer and fewer desktop users. Therefore, this update had Google revamping many of its interfaces.

This new update is not yet available to all users. However, with these features in A/B testing, you may see these appear on your Google search results in the upcoming days. Two versions of the new tweaks, revamps, and updated features will be available on your interfaces, but you will likely never know which group you are a part of until the updates are available for all users. Google uses A/B testing to avoid total turbulence on new features so they can work out the kinks before sharing these updates with all 5.4 billion Google searches per day.

Ultimately, this new update won’t affect your SERP rankings or regular browsing experience. But, they should provide Google users with more narrow screens the full ability to use the homepage and SERP interfaces. Expect updates like this in the upcoming months, but do not be wary of them as they will not affect you or your client’s SERP rankings. 

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April 28, 2021 (Updated: December 22, 2022)