Google Testing Boxed Layout on Desktop in 2017

Throughout 2016 and now in 2017 Google has been testing a new layout, which I will refer to on this blog for now as the “boxed layout”. I am willing to bet they change the look and feel of the Google SERPs (search engine results pages) in 2017.

I have seen them try a few different formats. This is the latest, which I took a screenshot of on January 19, 2017 just before logging in to AdWords for a client:

Screenshot of Google testing a boxed layout in SERPs January 19, 2017.

If anyone cares – I don’t like it. They had one last year which turned the background grey instead of white which was better.

Is Google testing the boxed layout on you?

I’m guessing you didn’t find this article unless Google was running some tests. They put these up randomly in search – if you spend enough time online and pay attention to little details you will notice these little changes from time to time.

I did forget to look at the number of organic results being displayed before I closed out the window. Oops.

Have you seen this? What did you think?

• Author
• Recent Posts

Len

President at Telapost

I create content and do SEO for law firms, small businesses and companies worldwide. I have been generating traffic online since 1992. I have owned multiple successful companies. I'm an organic eater, nature lover and German Shepherd owner. Feel free to contact me here.

Latest posts by Len (see all)

• Google “Pure Spam” Penalty Deindexes Sites March 6 2024 - March 12, 2024
• What Happened to ChicagoNow.com? - August 30, 2022
• The December 2021 Google Local Pack Algorithm Update - December 17, 2021

On January 20, 2017   /   Uncategorized   /   7 Comments

7 Comments

1. 

   Christian

   5:53 pm on January 21, 2017

   Yes, ALL my searches are with the new layout. I really hate it. Too much space wasted. More scrolling. Too much white space. HATE it.

   Reply
2. 

   NomenOmen

   9:21 am on January 22, 2017

   I’m getting it and I don’t like it.

   Reply
3. 

   Keith

   1:39 pm on January 22, 2017

   I’m really surprised how few ads are being displayed. Some results have no sidebar information, others have complete info.

   The search term “insurance”, generated 0 ads. The search term “life insurance” generated 1 ad. Very surprising for these high-value search terms.

   Reply
   • 

     Len

     12:16 am on January 23, 2017

     Thanks Keith. Interesting, I hadn’t noticed the ads not being displayed as heavily. Admittedly, in my screenshot above, I did exclude ads. I will definitely keep an eye on that though. I can’t imaging Google would trim down the number of ads if they actually roll this out!

     If I recall correctly, the ads were in boxes as well – but I can’t be sure – do you happen to remember?

     Reply
4. 

   Jon

   11:05 pm on January 22, 2017

   Have you seen the bright green URLs in search yet?

   Reply
   • 

     Len

     12:18 am on January 23, 2017

     Nope, but I have seen some screenshots on Twitter; maybe I’ll see if I can borrow a screenshot.

     Reply
5. 

   Len

   1:09 am on January 26, 2017

   Update: Google is now testing a grey background with the boxed layout:
   http://www.telapost.com/google-testing-boxed-layout-grey-background-jan-2017/

   Reply