Google is not just going to let Apple dominate the news today with their new product announcement and Steve Jobs re-apperance on Apple’s stage. And so Google announced a big enhancement (literally) – the famous Google Search Box just got bigger.
It’s a simple enhancement, no effect whatsoever on Google’s searching capability or functionality. Google is just making a statement here, stating the obvious – Google is all about search and it is but proper that the search box should look bigger. Aside from the bigger search box, Google is also making the search terms you enter larger as well as the search suggestions that appear when you time your search terms.
The announcement was made by none other than Google’s Marissa Meyer. And she ended it by saying:
“Google has always been first and foremost about search, and we’re committed to building and powering the best search on the web — now available through a supersized search box.’
terrible enhancement, they should change it back. It’s too distracting
Or they should at least be consistent; once you do a search, if you click on “Images” or “Videos”, etc…the search bar changes to a smaller size. It’s only for the web searches, but the changing size of the search bar makes it seem like some coding was overlooked.
Its just ugly.
And it was very disrespectfull for google to have done that without informing users. It was really rude. Is that how its done now. Just impose any garbage on us without 1st letting us know?
Anyone using a computer in a public place now must be looking all over just to ensure no one is reading what is being typed in the google searchbar.
Thats just stupid.
The change to me had no right thinking and i don’t think anyone at google really thought, of the USER’S PRIVACY.
Anyone can sit a mile away from you and read exactly what you are searching for.
For this reason, i have stopped using google search engine and now i am using Yahoo search, until google got some good sense in the idiotic change.
More than districting, its ridicules, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
That’s a good point, I agree
Too distracting from what? You’re here to search, first and foremost.
Substantiate!
its just ugly, and there is no reason for it
I think it’s really ugly.
Yep, i agree, its too ugly
I have to agree. It’s a bit visually jarring. This is a great example of an old adage… users hate change. We’ve all gotten used to Google looks, and now this comes as a shock.
As far as UX data goes, bigger input areas are the evolving norm, as many users simply can’t read smaller font sizes. Big is easy, simple is in. And if Google’s doing it, I imagine they tested it first. However, UX data can often be misleading.
Personally, I find the shift unnecessary in Google’s case. And it is definitely distracting to me to have my search term in huge letters at the top of my search results page.
I guess they should revert the changes made……new search bar ( bigger one ) is not looking good
If you don’t like it you can always press ctrl + -.
wait how do you make it like before?
Well I for one like it, the google search box has always been too small, especially on my mac. Thank you google for this small yet very useful alteration to your site.
wow,yes even i noticed, i thought its showing at my screen only. :)
LOL! Hey! I have a larger search box than what Google had a week ago…I think that is grounds for a lawsuit! They’re copying my bigger search box (the one that I’ve patented called “the searchbox that’s bigger than Google’s)!
I hate the new search box. It’s so unusual and ugly and we don’t even have an option to disable this “feature”. The box actually isn’t so disturbing, the font size is. Some people hate very large thin fonts and I am one of them.
I don’t like the change. I use Google every day for personal use and business. I at least would like the option to make it bigger or smaller. Google, please change it back.
Argh, I hate this change so much I’m almost considering looking for a new search engine!
OK, that would be a pretty extreme measure and I could probably hack together some Firefox user CSS to make it normal size again… but seriously, what were they thinking?
Why on Earth would I want or need to type into a HUGE search box? What’s wrong with one that’s just a normal size? Do I need guiding towards the most bleeding obvious feature of the page, just in case I miss it?
Of all the changes that Google have made in the last few years, this is the worst and most annoying one to date.
Also, where has “Preferences” gone? And why isn’t there an option to switch back to the non-idiotic font size? :-(
I don’t like the change either. It looks like you’re reading a L A R G E P R I N T meant for the elderly!
It’s crap! I hate it with a passion honestly.
I really liked not having everyone behind me be able to read what I’m searching for…not that I would ever search anything bad in public ;)
Garbage. Needs to be changed back.
I hate this change – it’s awful. And the suggestion to simply use CTRL +/- to change the font size would be fine…but…the font size on the rest of the page is perfect – it’s only the font size of the search text (and suggestions) that IS WAY TO FREAKING BIG! (sorry for the all caps, but the text size is just that annoying!)
Change it back, or make it and iGoogle pref, so if someone wants it bigger/smaller, they sign up for a Google account. At least an option. ctrl +/- get’s it back to right size but then all other text is smaller.
It is horrible. Google please change it back again. What is great about google is workflow efficiency. This is just too big. I can’t begin to describe how awful it is.
I strongly dislike the large text, I feel like an 80 year old with a magnifying glass. At least give us a setting to reduce the size.. and no i don’t want to have to click ctrl – because then the retrieved pages are microscopic. I never thought I’d leave google, but it really does bother me that much!
I dont like it. Why cant they make it a preference setting so that those who wish it to be bigger can view it that size.
When you are using a 22″ monitor it’s huge and annoying.
Ridiculously large, skinny, and then all-of-a-sudden-bold fonts make me want to kill. Seriously, change it back, give and option, shut the whole thing down, for the love of all things sacred and holy do something, but get rid of it. As a matter of fact the font in this box is getting on my nerves…
thanks for share . try it now
good i’m not seeing things. it looks cheap. i go from totally illegible font sizein the playstation store (idiots, means i can’t read what theyre trying to sell) to this lanky lettered abomination. maybe they should get together & we’d have a happy medium.
Hate it. It’s visually painful on a desktop, and there is no privacy whatsoever anymore. I’m outta there. What a great day for Bing!
D’oh! Bing’s big, too.
Hate it..the same way I hate someone using all caps when posting.
Feels like it’s shouting, looks cheesy, and feels like Google’s playing games with us, like we’re idiots.
I’m already starting to get used to Bing…just today!
It’s kind of funny how quickly I had noticed this. The font looks terrible now on everything I’ve tried it with. I suppose the size makes a difference for people with insanely disproportionate monitors. Perhaps some sort of preferences option could be set up for the search size, just as there are options whether to start on the traditional page or iGoogle.
I also think it’s horrible. Please change it back.
If I want a bigger search box, I’ll zoom in. I want the size to be relative to everything else on the page . Let me decide how I want my page to look .. not everyone has a 24″ monitor!
I don’t like it.
I hate how some web designers think it’s the hip/cool/user-friendly thing to do by making all the elements overly big as though they think their users are blind or retarded.
In my opinion I like visual elements to be reasonably small – it’s much easier on the eyes and you can do far faster page scans to find what you’re looking for.
Please change it back Google.
I hate the new bigger font on Google.
Sure, I can hit ctrl+- like someone suggested above, but then text on all other websites will become too small. And that’s the point, normal font size should be the standard/default size..
If the normal font is too small for you (or your mac), then you’re the one who should hit ctrl++. Then all text/font other websites will be consistently larger for you.
Ugly. Insulting. Amateurish. Not hip at all. I immediately thought, “Something is broken.”
If it looks like mistake, it isn’t “high design.” Undo!
My thoughts exactly.
WE DON”T LIKE IT! WE DIDN’T ASK FOR IT AND WE DON’T WANT IT MARISSA!!!
IT IS VERY UNBEFITTING TO THE CROWN
yes it is not looking good.
it’s terrible :(
please revert it back.
It’s an abomination, especially on a 19 inch monitor.
I can’t fit nearly as much text in the box now before it scrolls off. If Google is arrogant enough to do this without giving me the option of changing it back, I’ll happily go find another search engine…
I dont get the idea of changing the font size of text inside the search box.
We really admire Google for being the most reliable, fast and trusted search engine on the net, but with this “ENHANCEMENT” it made us ( google users )
to disliked , annoyed and have this big question mark on our head “?”..saying WHY?? …why did they ended up with this IRRELEVANT decision of changing the font size…
Some points they should consider before they did this:
01. Do we “the GOOGLE consumers” asked for this? In a macro view, did we complain about the font size.
02. Will it look perfect or almost perfect or should i say proper on our current layout? or will it look FUNNY and STRANGE?…..or should we rather change the color of background ( instead of flat, simple white – changed in something colorful ) or maybe change or enhance other feautures of GOOGLE.
03. Does it make sense CHANGING THE FONT size. If computers ( monitors ) and internet browsers are already equiped with an option to CHANGE, CONFIGURE size of fonts, screen resolution…etc. to properly suits their user.
and the last is…
04. If we will spend money on this “new idea” and our people will spend time fixing and changing…….. WILL IT BENIFIT US OR OUR LOYAL GOOGLE USERS, WILL IT HELP US EASE OUR SEARCH OR WILL IT JUST BE THE SAME..
I consider the people behind Google as a talented, smart people.
i really cant believe they did this? or maybe it will benifit us in other way that we dont know right now….hmm
CHEERS,
JOMS
This enhancement is terrible! Why can’t we have an option that lets us turn off this grandma friendly setting?
Absolutely awful, what marketing moron at google thought this was a good idea? This is no different frrom when Coke changed the taste to New Coke. Anyone remember that? Brought the company to it’s knees. Big signal to markets all over the world that Coke had lost it’s way. Thought this was a standard leson in MBA’s all over the world. Marketing Manager at Google missec that lesson? Is this a signal that Gogle has lost it’s way?
I’ve got no problem with Google fannying about with its appearance. BUT I will say this, the last time Google looked different on my screen was because I had a virus. I shut it down and managed to clear my virus off but it gave me a shock.
Just a small message to tell everyone that its different will do the job.
Basically, it’s bullying. They do it because they can. If I were to guess (all I /can/ do actually!) I’d say it’s some new manager having an ‘effect’ – being seen to make a change. Cynic that I am.
There’s nothing more depressing than having control of your environment taken away from you.
I find it really, really annoying. I go absolutely crazy when websites change their look or layout for no REAL, working reason. This “enhancement” is useless and maddening, and I much prefer the way it was before now.
I think it looks awful. My first thought was that there was an error of some kind in my settings. I have to lean back from the screen to see my results, they are so &()@#$@ HUGE. I’m not exactly in the large-type generation yet.
Thanks for nothing, Google… you’re doing a great job with search, why force this on your users? It seems like one of those Google jokes… one that they’ll call off in a couple of days. But I look at the calendar and see it’s not April 1.
Just plain ugly!
It’s really ugly! I think we don’t need a such big search box!
I don’t mind change but I certainly do not like it forced on my already-perfect browsing experience. If you want to make a larger search box, make it an option through the link like Click Here if you want the search box to be 3x bigger with 3x bigger fonts. /sigh/
It annoys me so much I will seek a different browser. Thanks, Google.
Well, I suppose after reading through other people’s thoughts I had a little more to add. The larger box really isn’t an issue, it’s the astronomical font size within that box.
I don’t want everyone around me seeing what I’m typing, especially at work O:)
I don’t like the visual experience it gives. It just feels awkward on the eyes.
I don’t appreciate not having a choice to have this huge font or a normal sized font.
Increase the size of the box & gives users a choice in their font size or return it to how it was prior until such changes can be provided to us. /endrant
Ya it is ugly, it is the only search bar on the page, almost condescending. I see it i get it, browsers have a zoom let ppl use that. CHANGE BACK THE SIZE
thanks
omg i thought it was IE’s zoom in function…. i was reseting setting for it too…the text in the search bar it too big of my liking. its horrible
F**KIN SUKS, need to change my homepage know….
This is awful and positively the worst change Google has applied to-date to the page. Are you trying to get us to go to Bing? Please change it back, or at least give us the option to change it back.
Not only do I hate it, but I wasted about an hour trying to figure out what setting I had screwed up on my computer that was causing it. How about at least putting a note next to it for a few days letting people know. It’s totally minor and petty but I agree with Hanh, I think I’m going to give Bing a shot. Bad move Google.
So did I James, a little less than hour, but not much less – and couldn’t figure out what I had done – how about a notice? I’m going to try another search engine as well. I’ve loved Google for years, simplicity, nothing annoying on the page, nice clean, EMPTY page with normal fonts, no bells and whistles, nothing impacting or distracting the eye – PERFECT, but that’s gone – and without any purpose that I’m aware of.
When i saw this i thought i had messed up my computer.
I checked all settings but could not figure it out.
I then reformatted my system thinking its a virus.
It was just desrespectful for google not having the the decency to inform USERS OF THEIR SEARCH ENGINE.
Very INSULTING.
Its a very bad move on google’s part.
Anyone now can read anyone’s search on google from a mile away.
Whats the reason. Whats the real reason. Did a someone get crazy at their desk at google and just decided to do this STUPID CHANGE.
No real thinking at all. And did not even think to inform or alert USERS of this change.
Without “US” (the USERS). Google you are NOTHING.
I have change my seach engine to YAHOO.
This is an insult to my Safari, my Mac’s beautiful fonts and my browsing experience! Utterly disgusting! In fact just because of this I went back to Yahoo’s search a few times yesterday, telling myself …. oh. you are gonna get used to it… Then I read all remarks here and thought why should I get used to something so preposterous, forced on me?
Forget it Google, you lost one admirer!
Google bigger font size is just SO terrible and ugly.
I hate it.
I’m definitely gonna switch if they don’t revert the search box to NORMAL!
Twitter started the big font, big logo trend. http://posterous.com/main/login and other 3.0 sites are going with this big box. (btw this blog has text boxes.. that’s different… but I like color when it means something .. like the 3.0 client side data validation on boxes.) Thanks for the article… it helped me know that it wasn’t just my computer.
Visually annoying, unnecessary. I am not visually impaired – I don’t need HUGE text in order to see it, search properly or use search more readily. I’ve been using google for a decade and while I do believe that most people hate change, my feelings on this have nothing at all to do with not liking change, but rather not liking something that is not only not an enhancement, but outright ridiculous? It’s ugly, a bit distracting, extremely annoying and absolutely unnecessary. What purpose could this possibly have? Moronic to the umpth degree.
I kept checking to make sure I didn’t accidently change my font settings then searched to make sure it was definitely Google. I’m shocked this is a permanent change. Unreal.
Someone in the comments mentioned Bing. I just checked it out and actually like it! I haven’t used any other search engine since google so when I hear people say they still search on yahoo or anything other than Google I think to myself why? lol
But I’m sure in a few weeks if I continue to use Bing and get use to it I’ll be saying I googled it when in reality I binged it.
I take it back. I’ll never use Bing again. Second search I did resulted in sites whos main purpose is to sell me something. Exactly what I expected from Windows. Oh well I tried. Guess I can only hope Google gives those of us who are not visually impaired an option to go back to the original font size.
this sucks im not blind
How ridiculous is this change, browsers offer the option to change the size of the font manually, why are we all forced to look at an ugly large search bar that frankly looks repulsive on screen. Why would we even want this functionality, honestly google fire whoever approved this decision, then slap yourself on the wrist. Terrible
if you want the smaller search box
SOLUTION =
http://googlemyway.com/Google
use Google My Way, just replace that Google, after the “/” and you’re sorted…
Awful the new font-size in the search box. Thought I did something wrong with some settings somewhere. Google should change it back or at least make it an option to reduce the size
Rudi
(the Netherlands)
1000% agree with Ivo. I don’t like this change at all. The smaller version looks much more ‘classy’. Change it back please!
Good news fore firefox users:
Here’s a script that will change it back to normal if you have greasemonkey installed on firefox:
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/57449
More Info: http://lifehacker.com/5357599/un+supersize-google-search-with-a-user-script
Typing into Goodle’s seachbox with the new font makes me feel like I’m shouting at myself.