New Design for Google Instant Previews

Google is experimenting with Google Instant Previews. Google are often experimenting with new features, and trying things out, sometimes they last sometimes they don’t.

But I think these changes are a definite improvement on the previous version and I find I use the feature a lot more.

Also, in my opinion, this new version draws even more attention to how your web page looks, and how attractive it is. And, crucially,  whether Google can actually read your content on your site.

If you haven’t noticed yet, check it out!

In the old version (shown below), Google showed a little magnifying glass which the user needed to click on to show the preview. Most of my clients and colleagues didn’t even notice the magnifying glass, so in my experience the feature was hardly used. Yet, it was actually quite useful in helping me decide which link to click on.

The new version is much more idiot proof! As your cursor moves down a search return, an obvious grey button with a double arrow appears to the right of the listing. Hover your cursor over the button and you see the preview appear on the right hand side. You can also see areas of the page highlighted that reflect the search term you used.

Neat!

In order to remove the preview, you just need to move your cursor off the button or the preview. No clicking required!

Two major things leap out to me on this

1. It’s very easy to check out what a site looks like before you visit it now. In fact I now find I do it all the time.
   • Do a search for your business or primary keyword and have a look at how your site looks. Is it welcoming, attractive? Now is the time to review. You don’t want to put people off from clicking through!
   • Flash does not appear in the preview! BEWARE: Google cannot read flash and it won’t show!
2. The preview pane completely covers the ads that appear on the right hand side. I wonder whether this will have an impact on click through rates of ad campaigns.

What do you think? Do you like this new functionality? Do you use it? Have you experienced any impact on ad campaigns that you run?

Would love to hear your comments