Google, after having tested out single indented search results, is now experimenting with displaying multiple of them at a time.
Google's foray into indented search results starts back in July, when certain social media journalists reported that the search engine's results were being displayed differently. To be more specific, if a certain search query would lead to multiple results from the same website, they would now be displayed one below the other, much like threaded replies on platforms such as Tumblr and Reddit.
These "indented" search results, when first encountered and noted, would only go as far as to display two links from the same website at one time. There would be one main website, with another associated search result under it, and no more. With threaded comments and replies being such a common and popular format across all forms of social media, perhaps Google wanted to see if it could effectively do the same with its products.
This recent update, which is less of an update and more of a minor tweak, has led to more than one indented result being displayed. Not many individuals have noted this or pointed it out, simply due to the limited nature of beta testing that occurs. The original indented search results feature was only rolled out in an A/B testing format, with random individuals getting the normal format, while others getting the updated interface. It seems that the inclusion of multiple search results is being similarly tested.
This author believes that extensively testing these features out before implementation is incredibly important. The indented search results, especially with there being more than one, can provide a cluttered space for the Google Search webpage. Not to mention that since similar websites will use up more space, there will be less overall diversity in search results per page. Threaded replies aren't always met with warm reception either. A good example of this is Twitter testing out its threaded replies for an entire year before ultimately scrapping the idea since its userbase disagreed with the interface changes.
Then again, the feature hasn't been integrated into Chrome proper right now. There's still quite enough time to gauge the community's reaction to such a change, and hopefully it'll be a positive one.
H/T: Shubhu Barot
Read next: Google Will Add Presearch Engine As A Default Option on Android Devices in EU
Google's foray into indented search results starts back in July, when certain social media journalists reported that the search engine's results were being displayed differently. To be more specific, if a certain search query would lead to multiple results from the same website, they would now be displayed one below the other, much like threaded replies on platforms such as Tumblr and Reddit.
These "indented" search results, when first encountered and noted, would only go as far as to display two links from the same website at one time. There would be one main website, with another associated search result under it, and no more. With threaded comments and replies being such a common and popular format across all forms of social media, perhaps Google wanted to see if it could effectively do the same with its products.
This recent update, which is less of an update and more of a minor tweak, has led to more than one indented result being displayed. Not many individuals have noted this or pointed it out, simply due to the limited nature of beta testing that occurs. The original indented search results feature was only rolled out in an A/B testing format, with random individuals getting the normal format, while others getting the updated interface. It seems that the inclusion of multiple search results is being similarly tested.
This author believes that extensively testing these features out before implementation is incredibly important. The indented search results, especially with there being more than one, can provide a cluttered space for the Google Search webpage. Not to mention that since similar websites will use up more space, there will be less overall diversity in search results per page. Threaded replies aren't always met with warm reception either. A good example of this is Twitter testing out its threaded replies for an entire year before ultimately scrapping the idea since its userbase disagreed with the interface changes.
Then again, the feature hasn't been integrated into Chrome proper right now. There's still quite enough time to gauge the community's reaction to such a change, and hopefully it'll be a positive one.
Read next: Google Will Add Presearch Engine As A Default Option on Android Devices in EU
