Google has been doing a pretty serious reshuffling of various features that users might have gotten used to, and the search navigation bar could be the latest object of its changes. About a decade ago, most people were aware that the Google search navigation options were on the side of the page, but eventually Google changed that to bring them to the top because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up placing them under the search bar itself.
A few screenshots taken in the wild have shown that Google is testing out a sidebar once again. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that many users criticized the relocation of this side bar to the top under the search bar, and Google was taking suggestions from them about what would be better. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the navigation bar stuck where it was for a long time, but these tests indicate that change is coming pretty soon.
However, Google has tested out a few other variations as well over the years such as placing the navigation bar on the right. None of those tests resulted in permanent changes or updates, so it does not seem all that likely that the tests recently seen will lead to a wide rollout either. Still, this test indicates that Google is not fully decided on where the navigation bar should ideally be, and if they find this recent test to be fruitful they might decide to reposition it to where it was so long ago.
Google has also experimented with placing a few other features on the sidebar, so it’s clear that the tech juggernaut wants to pad this part of its SERP out a little bit. The company might decide to add entirely new features to this area, or they might choose to add the navigation options here which would make them more distinct. It will be interesting to see if this tests turns into something concrete.
H/T: Brodie Clark
Read next: Google Might Be Trying to Make Ads Less Intrusive, Advises Websites to Avoid Interstitials
A few screenshots taken in the wild have shown that Google is testing out a sidebar once again. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that many users criticized the relocation of this side bar to the top under the search bar, and Google was taking suggestions from them about what would be better. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the navigation bar stuck where it was for a long time, but these tests indicate that change is coming pretty soon.
However, Google has tested out a few other variations as well over the years such as placing the navigation bar on the right. None of those tests resulted in permanent changes or updates, so it does not seem all that likely that the tests recently seen will lead to a wide rollout either. Still, this test indicates that Google is not fully decided on where the navigation bar should ideally be, and if they find this recent test to be fruitful they might decide to reposition it to where it was so long ago.
Google has also experimented with placing a few other features on the sidebar, so it’s clear that the tech juggernaut wants to pad this part of its SERP out a little bit. The company might decide to add entirely new features to this area, or they might choose to add the navigation options here which would make them more distinct. It will be interesting to see if this tests turns into something concrete.
H/T: Brodie Clark
Read next: Google Might Be Trying to Make Ads Less Intrusive, Advises Websites to Avoid Interstitials
