Google Force Feeds Background Images to Search Page
Google Force Feeds Background Images to Search Page
Posted 06/10/2010 at 9:17am
| by Paul Lilly
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With every browser now sporting integrated search capabilities, we find ourselves on Google's main landing page less and less. Should you wander over to Google.com, however, you'll notice that the search titan has begun adding background photos, representing a dramatic departure from the minimalistic look that has become a staple of Google's homepage.
For those of you not digging the change and voicing your displeasure via Twitter, Google has heard your complaints and had this to say:
"The Google home page should be back to normal tomorrow where you can keep it in its simple and classic look, choose to upload an image or photo, or switch back and forth," a Google spokeswoman said.
For everyone else, the images are a welcome change, and there are a whole bunch to choose from, including some gorgeous landscape photos from National Geographic. You'll also find artwork from sculptors and a whole host of other images broken down into a Public gallery and Editor's pics, or you can use an image from your PC or My Picasa Web photos.
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khasgde
June 04, 2011 at 6:43am
In their quest to make their search engine sexier and more appealing to the fickle masses, Google's now begun to let users add a background image of their choosing to the main search landing page. Is this cool? Yes. Is it copying Bing? We'll let you decide, but note that the picture above is a screen shot of Bing's landing page uploaded to Picasa and set as my Google Search background image baby names. Google's suggestion that it only looks vaguely familiar only makes it funnier. Thanks
Energata
June 10, 2010 at 5:14pm
It would be SO nice to see updates to the Gmails "Themes" sections....with a bit more to pick from than the scant selection they have had since who knows when...
....Please!
skyknight
June 10, 2010 at 5:11pm
they do have a really nice minimalist all white background, other colors too. I like the change..
GJEMaximumPC
June 10, 2010 at 3:17pm
Personally, I like the fact that Google is trying to emulate Bing in this manner. The background photos are awesome. The plain-white search home page is way, way, way outdated and boring. It's like something you would expect to see if you time-traveled backed to 2001. Seriously, people need to learn to adapt and move-forward instead of living in their past-times.
Bing brought useful aspects and features which forced Google to wake up and better itself. The plain white home-page was nothing but testimony that Google was resting on its past laurels of victory.
Energata
June 10, 2010 at 5:12pm
"Seriously, people need to learn to adapt and move-forward instead of living in their past-times. "
I couldn't agree more!
timmyw
June 10, 2010 at 2:39pm
I want the minimalist page, after the first image I was looking for a way to turn it off. I might be in the minority so fine show the images to those who want it, but don't force everyone to view those images. I just wonder how much bandwidth was wasted world-wide to show those pictures.
Bennethon
June 10, 2010 at 12:32pm
I remember a time when google counted the words on their homepage, and tried to keep them to a absolute minimum.
cynical
June 10, 2010 at 10:59am
That certainly didn't last all day. It's back to the normal white bg again. A lot of people were complaining about it wherever and whenever they could (including me).
jamevay
June 10, 2010 at 10:19am
If you are familiar with google's tactics, it is easy to understand what they are trying to do. They want more people to sign in to google, which will increase the use of google products.
Personally, I like the old blank page
bikerbub
June 10, 2010 at 10:37am
if they do things right, and add features to get you to sign in so that they make money, what's wrong? isn't that the point of being in business?
BAMT
June 10, 2010 at 12:50pm
Not when it alienates twice the number of users that they get through the features.
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