I'm not seeing any difference in site traffic since this but I'm guessing it will take time before people start using these regularly. When Yahoo made a similar change it took a few months for click-through to stabilise. How do people think this will affect the SEO you're doing? I'm guessing ultimately a slightly higher click through for other channels like social and video will increase their importance?
I think SEO can take an interesting turn if their "search tools" on the sidebar are made more prominent. IMO, sorting search as per timing is useless, and not many people will want to use it. But who knows? Maybe SEO specialists can cash on including websites in the various time frames. Been a day since the first post, I think I'm already getting used to the layout. The #1 USP of Google is Relevance, and I'll be sticking to it as long as it manages to offer better results than the others present out there.
Not experienced any adverse search changes but yeah i'd agree that what we loved so much about google i.e. it's simplicity has kind of gone missing. No doubt we'll get used to it, just like we got used to DP going to VB4.0 but yeah there was no need to really change it.
If you want to revert to the old one, just use an unsupported browser like IE6. I stll check my sites with IE6 (as awful as it is, many still use it) and the old Google shows using it. Even FF 2.0 shows the new, but not IE6.
Could take a while to get use too, as its not the usual interface I see when googling, the left bar is kind of distracting, but I'm sure people will get use to it, just like the YouTube changes...
Honestly, It's a give or take. I like it because it shows they do care about their appearance - not to mention I believe the logo is more 'high quality' now. However I've been so used too the old Google (Simple and plain).
I always welcome the change... since most of the times, they are for good! The new layout appears to be just cosmetic and I guess, we will get habituated with it.... after a while! Regards, RightMan
I must say I hate it as well. It has so many usability issues. The more flexible dashboard configuration is a nice addition but I am sticking with the old version as long as it is available.
Haven't noticed the change in the interface, are you sure it's not a special day in your country zone, and Google are just using a customary interface just for that day?
I have an "Old" Interface" link on the top right anytime I switch to the beta. I bounce back and forth as needed, but tend to stick to the old version.