Back in May, I reported Google was testing green backgrounds above and below the search results. This test happened on a weekday. As far as I can remember most of the tests have always been noticed on a weekday. I guess Google do not really need too much attention to their SERP tests so they decided to trial a new design at the weekend.
This time I was googling something on a Saturday morning and came across another background test. This is the third time in one year when I was exposed to a test on Google.co.uk. I wonder if Google uses the UK as a sandbox to try out new features? It would make sense since quite a lot of large companies do it, so why not Google.
A standard Google UK search results page looks like the one below – blue bar and yellow background under the premium ads above the organic results.
(click the images to view)
What I happened to see was a SERP with the 2 colours other way round –yellow bar and blue premium ads.
I quite like the new colours, as opposed to the green test in May, but still prefer the standard blue interface.
August 31st, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Very interesting, I hadn\’t actually noticed that one at all - though now I think about it after reading this I\’ve definitely seen both of them in use!