Observed Signal · Feb 20, 2023 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google Tests New Mobile Search Bar with Menu
Google is testing a new mobile search bar that integrates a left-side, full search menu for quick category switching between Images, News, Maps, Shopping, and more. The feature appears as a dropdown directly within the mobile search bar, enabling faster navigation across categories. The discovery was highlighted by Wall Street Journal SEO Shalom Goodman on Twitter, with Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable later commenting on the functionality. The testing team could not reproduce the feature themselves, and some observers warned the UX might be confusing for users since categories appear both in the dropdown and beneath the bar during the test. The article questions whether the change would meaningfully improve filtering and speed, and notes Google might adjust the mobile search design or introduce new features based on tester feedback and usage data.
Technical Release of a mobile search UI feature by Google; major platform
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google is testing a mobile search bar with a left-side integrated full search menu.
- A dropdown in the mobile search bar allows switching between categories such as Images, News, Maps, and Shopping.
- Wall Street Journal SEO Shalom Goodman highlighted the feature on Twitter.
- Barry Schwartz reported the function and noted it could be confusing for many users, with categories also shown under the bar during testing.
- Google may further adjust the mobile search design based on tester feedback and usage data, potentially adding new search features.
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1 Entity mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
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