A lot of Google users were surprised this week to find the Google search page turned upside down.  Actually more like rotated 90 degrees clockwise.  Google search filters are now in a bar across the top of the Google results window rather than on the left hand side. The Google announcement on the updated search design, “spiffing up your search results page”, cited a couple key reasons for the changes.

Google believes the new location of the search options is a simpler and cleaner design.  However the main purpose of page alterations that we have all grown accustomed to is for better display on mobile devices and tablets, and makes the transitioning between mobile and computer searches less confusing.

The move is part of a broader industry shift called “Responsive Web Design”.  (We recently published an Infographic explaining Responsive Web Design here.)  Basically it allows for a website to change shape to accomodate whatever screen, size and resolution the user is browsing with.  Rather than designing a separate mobile website, Responsive Web Design allows a single website to serve users from any computer or device without redirecting traffic.

Another reason for the change in format, according to Google, is a focus on the answers users are searching for.  With the uncluttered UI (user interface), search results and answers are front and center without much to distract the eye.  All the filter options are still available from the drop down menus though allowing users to drill down into their search results.

So test out the new filters and tell us how you feel about Google’s big change.