Google are looking to add a permanent sidebar to their search results (from searchengineland).
The idea being that this represents a cleaning up of the UI Jazz that currently happens with Google results where you are not always clear of exactly what you will get (will you get a local search results, will you get price comparison).
This seems to be Google straying from what made it such a popular destination in the first place, it’s simplicity. If you wanted a cluttered complicated page with loads of options you had Yahoo, or Alta Vista. Google was one search box, and a load of results.
And I’m not sure I buy the UI Jazz argument anyway. For me the logic behind these options has always worked well. For instance if I’m looking for bournemouth shoe shop I get local results and a map. If I search on adidas trainers I will get price comparison results.
Hopefully you will be able to turn of the sidebar because as a lazy git I prefer Google to do my thinking for me.
