Google opted today to splash some color on its trusty, rusty search page using background images. Some aren’t so hip to the change, said by some to be a response to Microsoft’s BING search engine.
I’d be okay with the change as long as it didn’t slow down the loading of my Google page and I had the option to turn it off. While this could have been a welcome change, Google screwed up when it didn’t give users the ability to disable it.
Attention, Google: I use your search engine for the results it provides me, not because it’s pretty (or not pretty, as the case may be). Give your users the option to turn off the BING bling and everything will be cool.
Update 3 PM: Google listened, and now users can get the old-fashioned page back again. Thanks, Goog!
“Give your users the option to turn off the BING bling and everything will be cool”
What do you think the link on the lower-left corner of your screenshot says?
It’s not good enough, Bigg. Users have to dig to find the white background. And without logging in and saving one’s settings the picture background will keep coming back.
Sorry, I’m not convinced. YMMV.
Worse.. I just realized that you have to login to a Google Account to change it to white again. I’m surprised they didn’t just have a link that said “Take me to the old Google search page” or something. That’s what they usually do.
Oh well.. all will be back to normal in a few hours.
Actually, now users have the ability to remove the image altogether. There’s now a “remove background image” on the lower left link. I clicked it and got my familiar Google page back.