14 DAY TRIAL // Google is experimenting with a couple of tweaks to the homepage and the search results page. The top toolbar visible on all Google properties is getting a revamp which is now in testing. What's more, Google is also experimenting with bottom ads in search results.
The revamped toolbar is a huge update over the existing one which hasn't change much in the years it has been available, it's basically still a list of links.
The biggest change to the top toolbar of late is the introduction of drop-down menus needed, for example, to change between two Google accounts.
In terms of content, the new toolbar is exactly the same as the old one, it's just a visual revamp.
The redesign is in line with Google's latest design aesthetic as seen in Gmail and, indeed, in the revamped homepage.
The toolbar has a smooth gradient background and larger text for the links, in a softer blue. A small colored bar, above the link indicates which section of the site you're on, search, image search, mail, etc. The colored bar is similar to the one on Google TV's homepage.
The one thing that is different is a settings button which replaces most of the administrative links on the right, Settings, Sign Out and Web History.
Another, unrelated experiment, adds text ads to the bottom of the search results page. Traditionally, Google has placed ads above the results and to the right.
This is not the first time that Google has tested these ad units, so it seems that they didn't prove very efficient.
It's at it again, but there's no guarantee that these ads will be rolled out to everyone this time around. In fact, Google Instant should make it even less likely that users will scroll down to the bottom of the page.