June 25, 2011

Google's Experimental Black Navigation Bar

A while ago, I spotted a black navigation bar in a Google page and wondered if it's a bug or a new Google experiment. It turns out that it's yet another experiment.

At least three readers of this blog saw the black navigation bar on Google's homepage today.



YouTube also tests a black player, so the two experiments could be connected.

Update: A lot of people see the new design, so it's hard to say if it's a test or a gradual roll-out. If you clear Google's cookies, do you still see the black bar?

{ Thanks, David, Francesc and Don. }
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346 comments:

  1. saiarcot895June 25, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Same for me. I saw the black bar while doing several searches.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    I also saw it on google.de

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    me too in Google Argentina, I hate this bar!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LemonySnickificationJune 25, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I saw this bar while I was using my cr-48

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    I didn't just see this, I continue to have it.. odd.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    I've noticed that it seems to display black when flash crashes...

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnnihilatorJune 25, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    "At least three readers of this blog saw the black navigation bar"

    Mee too. I thought it was an error! xD

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dutch visitorJune 25, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    In the Netherlands a black bar too... Please change it back the way it was, this isn't looking very good :-(

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    I've seen it too but when you click a drop down menu it isn't in black just the normal colour , that's why I thought it was a bug

    ReplyDelete
  10. BrozufilJune 25, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Erm isn't it suppose to match the new Android Sandwich? Or you people seriously expect it to be inconstant and fell behind?

    Google is now meant to be used under Google OS/Devices, in case you people haven't noticed yet, they are re-building it from ground up for it to be consistent and fit the new Google OS.

    Or do we seriously expect the new Google OS UI to be black and it's internet browser to be white?

    Same with Safari in iPods, is not gray as in PC, is BLUE as in the device UI, because it's suppose to fit and be consistent!

    People get update instead of whining about everything, thank you

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Could it be connected to the black bar on google docs for offline mode? Maybe black is google's new code for offline. http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2011/06/google-docs-tests-offline-support.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Google menu bar is black on the Web and Images pages (not the other menu links) only when running Safari. OK on Chrome and Firefox. How did this happen why? Is there a fix. This is extremely irritating!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    No. I do not like it!

    But there are changes coming to the navigation bar (I think). Looking at this screenshot of the redesigned Bookmarks in Chrome 13 (already out in beta form), there's a ES option in the navigation bar and a red CONFIDENTIAL label on it.

    Gmail looks to be renamed as Mail and Shopping is gone.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Link to the screenshot: http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=21463

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    clear your cookies and it goes away

    ReplyDelete
  16. SimonJune 25, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I noticed this just now, but only when I wasn't signed into Google (in an incognito window- not poorn ;))

    If signed in, I still have the white toolbar (I prefer the white one).

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sushi DudeJune 25, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    I saw the black bar, got some pictures of it on SSL and normal Google. I don't see it anymore though...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Stretch mark creamJune 25, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    I haven't seen this black bar.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beben KobenJune 25, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    from indonesia...
    i have ever seen black bar...
    good good...go go go google

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    jasonvaritekfan: That "ES" on the bar in the screenshot you found must stand for Emerald Sea, the social service possibly also known as Circles that must be being tested internally. (The CONFIDENTIAL label, connected to some kind of share count, also appeared in a screenshot that appeared on Techcrunch some time last year.)

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    I use google ncr normally and thought the bar used to be blue until today when I open the ie. The bar has turned to black so I thought the bar has rotten. I thought of suggesting improvement on farming skill to google :P

    Ok, joking aside. I suspect few possibilities like google being hacked or google changed its color recently, and it seems like the odd is latter.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousJune 26, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I have the black bar in firefox only. It doesn't show up in IE.

    ReplyDelete
  23. hlaorooJune 26, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Last night it was white with blue lettering. Today, black with dull white lettering. It's ugly. I run an iMac with Safari. Maybe it's to represent a "black armband" in response to the FCC investigation.

    ReplyDelete
  24. ShuJune 26, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Me too with Google Japan. Only on Firefox, not on IE and Chrome.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    I am so tired that companies try to streamline everything to the Smartphones today.

    I overheard in the subway "I only use my phone for browsing and chatting". WTF???
    If every SW developer have to match thier prefered Smartphone developer i fear for the future of good IT buisness.
    Hopefully poeple will realize, that a computer is safer and faster than crap phone.
    @Google: Either change the color back or make the user choose thier own color.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    this bar sucks, it needs to be that white-ish blue again. It doesn't look good

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    I have it now and I am trying to switch it back. I hate it, and I could care less about matching some other OS. I find it difficult to read and also find it distracting. BAH!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    How about letting users CHOOSE what color they want? I'm tired of Google forcing this crap down my throat. May be time to go back to Yahoo.

    ReplyDelete
  29. gabssnakeJune 27, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    I discovered it today in Safari on Mac. I actually like it, I wouldn't mind if Google decided to go that way there and in other places.

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Oh my god i do NOT like the black google bar. It is hard to read. Also it is just plain annoying. Spent ages restoring IE8 thinking i had corrupt file. Thanks google half a day wasted trying to fix something that you did on purpose.....Please take the black away....

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    I am in Australia and have www.google.com.au (IE8) as my home page. Today i have that black bar going accross my google toolbar. I hate it. It is hard to read and is just annoying. I then went to www.google.com (IE8) and there is no black bar so for now i have that set as my home page. Come on Google please take away the black toolbar as it is too hard to read

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    There actually a way to get rid of this new toolbar. You just need to delete google cookies, and then relogin(if you was logged in) in your google account. I dont know which specific cookie is responsible for this new toolbar color, so just plain delete all google cookies. For firefox, you can read how to delete cookies here https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Deleting%20cookies

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    IN INDIA OLSO THE BLACK BAR WAS VISIBLE

    ReplyDelete
  34. NathanJune 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    I see the black bar too (location - WI, USA).

    I don't like it that much because it doesn't match google.com at all.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    This is bizarre. It's the standard white on my gmail window, but it's black on all of my google docs tabs, in the same browser instance. (Arizona, USA)

    ReplyDelete
  36. NJWJune 27, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    It really stands out, but it also feels pretty intrusive. Either way it does not get in the way, but it somehow feels like bad design.

    ReplyDelete
  37. RonJune 28, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    Please change it back or let me at least choose, it looks horrible!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. BrianJune 28, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    Anyone know how to revert it back to the good old white bar? This huge bold black line between my tabs and the webpage is a bit of an eyesore.

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:46 AM

    have it, hate it

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ihar FilipauJune 28, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    How can I disable it?

    With my blueish FireFox and Windows themes it looks like ... Well, dark brown looks pretty bad, when everything else is bluish.

    And why the beep you beep around with and break the things which made me in past switch to Google from Yahoo???

    Google slowly gets into the frenzy where you feel need to change something just to change something.

    I was so in love with Google of 7-8 years go: sticking to the essentials, minimalistic yet smart(!!!) design, in stark contract to the ever more bloated Yahoo. The "smart" is gone now. As is the "minimalistic." Ironically recent Yahoo is slowly getting the hang of "slim and lean" - while Google design get more bloated, distracting, design-by-committee type of thing. History repeating.

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    I love the new bar. - also on youtube although it would be greater it had invisibility or the same colour as the bottom part of the video in stead of just black

    ReplyDelete
  42. SterenJune 28, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    Same here in France http://i.imgur.com/zDfYU.png

    ReplyDelete
  43. agent00111June 28, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    they problem with this type of soft rollout/test is that I didn't get any notification about it in advance. As a security professional, my first thought was that it was malware or spyware which had hijacked my browser, and was displaying content (google) in iframe.

    Aesthetically, I do not prefer it. The affection for google is in the clean search landing page (without igoogle) and this has sharp contrast between black bar and white page... perhaps 'blackle' type UI would be better, but for today I prefer the classic interface.

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:35 AM

    Seeing it in Canada on Chrome 12.0.742.100 - have to say, I actually quite like it. I suspect the reasoning is to tie it in more to Chrome OS and make it look more "native" for Chromebooks.

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    Absolutely horrible. How can a company the size of Google fail to notice that gray-on-black is immensely unreadable?

    If they force this change on everybody permanently, I'm going to Bing. Seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    I'm also seeing it in Canada today...
    I think it's just awful!!!

    I'd even allow some kind of permanent google cookie or lso on my computer that would put google web search back to white.
    The black bar is distracting and reminds me of a particular website from the early 90's...

    Unlike Google's competitors (Bing, Yahoo, etc.)
    Google's success has been because of it's simplicity and clean interface.

    ReplyDelete
  47. opticsJune 28, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    It looks terrible! At least give us a choice.

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    it's black and it's severe. austere. duh.

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    This black bar was also on with firefox. It must be the pirate flag of google showing their resistance to the investigations in the US...

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    I noticed this yesterday on my main Google page - running Firefox 5.0 - bar is white on any other Google Page opened in a new tab. I hate this as well - get rid of it - seeing this Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    The black bar is too much. TOO HARD TO READ!! Go back.

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful.

    Google, bring back subtlety.

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Ugly! Almost as bad as the flawed "lets pick a random ugly background picture for you" experiment last year. I wish there was a way to opt out of these horrendous UI experiments.

    ReplyDelete
  54. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    it is ugly. it looks off. some engineer approved this?

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Make it go away, nowwwww!!! It's awful!

    ReplyDelete
  56. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I would also like the option to turn this off or change it back to white... or change the red highlight to something happier..

    so i don't have a red and black death bar of death search

    ReplyDelete
  57. Disque SSDJune 28, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    A little tip for you :

    To disable the black bar, delete the "Pref" cookie on google.com.

    If you want to enable it, put this value for the "Pref" cookie :
    ID=eba79be4992fdc55:U=84fe99216c837599:FF=0:LD=en:NR=10:CR=2:TM=1284567656:LM=1309279827:DV=sTIUytipGDoC:GM=1:SG=2:S=Au6Y4U_EUMHjizBF

    Use this chrome extension to edit your cookies :
    https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fngmhnnpilhplaeedifhccceomclgfbg

    Enjoy !

    ReplyDelete
  58. GeorgeJune 28, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Just saw the black bar here in Brazil!

    ReplyDelete
  59. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I can see it in safari on my iPad in the uk.

    ReplyDelete
  60. UnknownJune 28, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    I got the black bar and I hate it ... please get back my white bar.

    ReplyDelete
  61. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Please remove that unsightly black bar.

    ReplyDelete
  62. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    I think this ugly black bar goes completely against what Google wanted to achieve with their homepage - a clean, clutter-free look.

    *Massive fail*.

    ReplyDelete
  63. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Monumental fail...
    Google, if you must experiment, give users an option to TURN IT OFF! That way you can tell exactly how unpopular it is, and kill the ill-fated program that ever recommended inserting an ugly, interface-clogging black bar on the home page.

    ReplyDelete
  64. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    I see a lot of prejudice on this thread.

    White tires the eyes more than black.

    Black is the colour of night, star-filled; clean, clear and economy.

    ReplyDelete
  65. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I think this bar is ugly in black. For me, Google'q color is white. However, i like the new "Google search" and "I'm feeling lucky" bouttons.

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Is there a way to keep it? I really like this bar! Better than the standard white version.

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    I absolutely hate this black bar! As an older person, I have a hard time seeing the words under this black color. Let us decide what we want and like and not you. You need to ask us. As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't change it!"

    ReplyDelete
  68. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    i do not want this horrible black bar distracting me - its an intrusion into my personal space - like an annoying bug - at least give me the option to change it - otherwise I'll use a different web browser - very very soon

    ReplyDelete
  69. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&hl=all
    So how do I KILL this new "improvement". Kill it please, sack whoever it was.

    ReplyDelete
  70. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Likes this seems better.

    http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=0&hl=all

    ReplyDelete
  71. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    It's Awful! It's Horrible! I HATE IT!

    ReplyDelete
  72. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I noticed this change only today... I don't like it, but clearing my cookies for Google made it disappear.

    ReplyDelete
  73. MCEJune 28, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Right, where do we log an official complaint to kill this nonsense at the root?

    Not only is the black bar but ugly and visually distracting, the fact that it randomly appears and goes away as I click around in the navigation bar. Grr....

    And then there is the likely horrendous amount of people-time that Google has caused & will case to be wasted world wide with this kind of surprise & random changes.

    Someone needs to be fired. And his boss as well.

    ReplyDelete
  74. IanJune 28, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Ugh, this is disgusting! It's plaguing my Google Calendar!

    ReplyDelete
  75. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Barf. This is horrible, and I do hope that someone comes up with browser extensions soon to disable it.

    ReplyDelete
  76. MCEJune 28, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    And another reason to kill it: When viewed on an LCD under a non-perfect angle the gray text on black they use for anything but the current "tab" is *INVISIBLE*. How can they be so incredibly stupid??????

    For now Google.com *is* my home page. If they persist in this nonsense, that will soon be *was*.

    ReplyDelete
  77. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    just done an update on OS Leopard and this black bar came up!

    ReplyDelete
  78. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    distracting and ugly. please take it away!

    ReplyDelete
  79. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    I don't like it!

    ReplyDelete
  80. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Mine showed up today..guess its a gradual roll out. am in Nairobi.
    Still not sure what to think of it.. am kinda used to the old plain google, non hyped, basic, fast and concentrated on its core business.

    ReplyDelete
  81. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Lean closely. A little closer...a little closer..there. I HATE IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  82. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Grey with red on black is a feeling of death. Please remove it!

    ReplyDelete
  83. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/28/google-plus/

    ReplyDelete
  84. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Always use google... but hate this bar - hope it's not a permanent thing

    ReplyDelete
  85. omgitatJune 28, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    I applaud personal choice. As for making apps, OS and devices look the same... not only UGH (Google—WHAT were you thinking?!) but inefficient! This visual cue tells me what OS, application and/or device I'm using, basically where I am. Those cues make me faster because of muscle memory. I have different key commands for the same action in different environments (e.g. Mac vs. PC or InDesign vs. QuarkXPress); because of this, I feel or sense when I'm using the wrong key command for where I am. So... for those whose lives are made better by indistinguishable cues — go for it. Keep the black bar. But don’t make everyone else suffer!

    ReplyDelete
  86. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    the black bar is horrible - any way of getting rid of it?

    ReplyDelete
  87. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    Whats the fuck GOOGLE!! Are you on exstacy? Take this shit off! WP!

    ReplyDelete
  88. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    just let us know in advance so we would not think it is a bug or virus; used malware and virus scannings for no reason, wasted alot of time being mad and perplexed. give option to return to prior color if we want to.

    ReplyDelete
  89. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    Hate the black bar - really annoyed

    ReplyDelete
  90. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    I just want to remove it now.

    ReplyDelete
  91. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Stop changing things. The weekly google UI change. Try and keep up. Asinine. It was fine the way it was. Value familiarity. Stop changing things. WHERE IN THE @#$% IS THE *OPTION* - back in the 90s with software we had basic options to select the color you want - I'm telling you google is anti-user-choice.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Jesse WaldorfJune 28, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_134052313340690&ap=1

    Join my facebook group... we all hate it!

    ReplyDelete
  93. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    I hate this black bar= GOOGLE please remove it or i'm using another search method.

    ReplyDelete
  94. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Looks awful Google. I appreciate that you are trying to make something new .. with Google+ but let us have options to switch the black colour back to the way WE like it. Seriously, do it.

    ReplyDelete
  95. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    another stupid annoyance from the company that used to be clean and functional.
    Added to the other stupidities like hidden sign out gmail button, the dysfunctional google images where you have to click all the time "switch to basic version", the side bar, and keep counting.

    ReplyDelete
  96. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    GAH my iGoogle homepage (as well as my Chrome browser) has a color scheme of white and blue, so the black bar really stands out and is SUPER ugly. :(

    ReplyDelete
  97. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Got it. Hate it. Bing in 5... 4... 3...

    ReplyDelete
  98. lesterlynJune 28, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    Horrible. Incredibly ugly. Intrusive. Screams for attention. Makes it really difficult to concentrate on work. Most hideous change to an interface I have ever seen.

    GET RID OF IT, Google, PLEASE.

    ReplyDelete
  99. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    GOOGLE: please stop... i hate how i dont have the option anywhere easily noticeable to MAKE IT STOP! :D i just want plain clean, normal google screen. no fancy. just plain. thats what I like about google in the first place.

    ReplyDelete
  100. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    I hate the black navigation bar.

    ReplyDelete
  101. David RichardsJune 28, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Im not overly keen on this new black and red bar, please bring back the plain white.

    ReplyDelete
  102. gwen reedJune 28, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    I am vision impaired... cannot read new black navigation bar... HOW do I change it back? HOW do I contact the geniuses at Google Design Team??

    ReplyDelete
  103. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    I don't like it D:

    ReplyDelete
  104. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    The bar is horribly ugly and distracting. Bing is looking better and better.

    ReplyDelete
  105. coylumJune 28, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    If the black navigation bar stays then I leave to another search engine....

    ReplyDelete
  106. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    I have (fairly common) vision problems, and this new (I saw it for the first time several minutes ago) black bar is almost impossible for me to read without leaning in until my eyes are just inches from the screen. Bad idea!

    ReplyDelete
  107. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    sux azz

    ReplyDelete
  108. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Trash this invasion of my screen

    ReplyDelete
  109. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Make it go away! I am also visually impaired and I do not like this black bar across the top of my screen. And no, deleting my cookies and my temp files didn't solve the problem.

    ReplyDelete
  110. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    It's just so depressing, please own up to this horror Google and change it back today.

    It's not funny.

    ReplyDelete
  111. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE this black nav bar!!! I may have to change my homepage if Google doesn't remove it. :-(

    ReplyDelete
  112. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Gray text against a black background, what tool at Google came up with this web usability color scheme!?

    ReplyDelete
  113. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    I think google should be all white on black, my eyes burn from looking at the scorching white all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  114. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    So disgusting!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  115. LeilaniJune 28, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    I don't like it, at all.

    ReplyDelete
  116. SomeoneJune 28, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I have it, too. It's weird how people can complain over such a trivial little thing, though! I don't mind it, since it's so small, and I think this is just like complaining about the Google logo of the day: if you don't like it, just ignore it. It's that simple.

    ReplyDelete
  117. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Do not like. Go away. The problem is you look at it and when you look away you see the ghost image. Messing with the eyeballs.

    ReplyDelete
  118. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    How do I turn this off??

    ReplyDelete
  119. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    I noticed the black bar a couple of days ago. I do not like it at all. It is very intrusive with the colors I have chosen for my iGoogle home page. I am seeing the black navigation bar on Firefox (my preferred browser) and on IE. I hope this is not a permanent change. I would like to have the old color back for the bar.

    ReplyDelete
  120. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I hope someone from iGoogle is reading our comments. Most of us are not happy about this black intrusive bar.

    ReplyDelete
  121. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Bye Google! I'm headed to Bing or some other homepage and search engine. You were clean, functional, sparse even, but that's all I needed. The black bar annoys and you failed to give-notice on how to change it. It was bad enough that you listed my search results starting with those who apparently paid to be top-of-the-pile and were garbage. You've gone the Microsoft route so I might as well head to Bing. Or maybe Opera. Suggestions group?

    ReplyDelete
  122. DiogoJune 28, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    same here in portugal

    ReplyDelete
  123. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    I just love it, put more black on it..

    Corinthians Paulista.

    ReplyDelete
  124. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    Hate it too

    ReplyDelete
  125. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    HATE IT. What are they thinking? Take design decisions away from the engineers.

    ReplyDelete
  126. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    The black bar HAS TO GO,......So BYE BYE GOOGLE Going to use Yahoo from Now ON!!! I can make it go away permanently... Just use Yahoo instead.

    ReplyDelete
  127. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    I agree- I don't like the black bar.

    I like the old simplicity, because it's a *neutral* starting point. I open Google and I can go anywhere, there's no sense that someone sat down and drew up a map for me of where they think I should go. It's an open field- white page, functional-looking blue links, and of course the logo.

    When I bring up a google page, far more often than not I just want to do a search. I don't want to check my email, know what the temperature is outside, know what the latest news headlines are, or be impressed by the latest batch of too-clever-by-half web designers who managed to sell Google on the "need" to revamp a webpage that's worked perfectly well for them for years. If I want anything but that search line, I will type in the URL, or run a search for it *from* the search line. I don't need Google waving it in my face to find it.

    Google isn't where I go to have random bits of content shoved in my face. Google is where I go when I already know what I want, because I trust them to show me how to get there. I don't want them trying to distract me with random content that 95% of the time isn't what I care about.

    I want the Google home page to be visually simple, fast to load, and *not* cluttered with distractions. I like the functional look of the page for years, and would be just as happy if they got rid of the black bar. I mean, does that add function? Is dark gray text on black somehow easier for people to read than blue on white was? Sheesh.

    ReplyDelete
  128. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    In Google Poland I also have this bar. I don't like it. RESTORE THE OLD ONE ! PLEASE <3

    ReplyDelete
  129. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    it's uglyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

    I HATE IT
    REMOVE IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  130. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    I dislike it a lot. Things with black backgrounds are very hard on my eyes and leave me with a headache. Not to mention that it is just intrusive and I do not like it.

    ReplyDelete
  131. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    I have it now, too. I've been searching for answers how to change it back. The only answer seems to be use another search engine.

    ReplyDelete
  132. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    been using google for 10 years and now it sucks REMOVE IT !!

    ReplyDelete
  133. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    could google not think of something more asinine to do to their homepage???

    ReplyDelete
  134. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Google change it or I will rearrange it!!

    ReplyDelete
  135. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    I read somewhere that the black bar helps save energy and help save the planet. Dear google, go hump a tree and get rid of the black bar!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  136. DuckDuckJune 28, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    DOWN WITH THE BLACK BAR!

    ReplyDelete
  137. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Google is going Apple: Arbitrary, tyrannical, stupid, user un-friendly. This week only they have introduced that horrible, unsolicited, unchangeable black bar, and... don't forget, the very annoying "people widget". Another two reason to warm up into hating Google.

    ReplyDelete
  138. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    I HATE THIS BLACK BAR!!!! How do I get rid of it? Ahhhhhhhh!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  139. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    element hiding helper ... google.com###gbx3 ... hidden.

    doesn't work perfect but good enough.

    ReplyDelete
  140. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    I hate the black bar. It is difficult to read the wording. Eyesight not the best, please don't make it more difficult What happened to the map section too.
    Please do not change what is good. How can I get things back to where they were?

    ReplyDelete
  141. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    I have 4 browsers on my computer:

    Chrome 12 stable
    Opera 11.11
    Firefox 5
    IE 9

    As of today, ALL browsers show the dark color navigation bar on the Google search main page.

    It is hideous, disgusting, and smacks of arrogance. It's just like how Google Instant is shoved down our throats as the default setting. Newsflash: Google Instant is highly annoying, near to _worthless_ for oriental languages such as Chinese, Japanese etc., and I do not want a search engine to second guess my search.

    When you're number 1 with no real competition for a long time, you will become complacent and arrogant. I think this is part of human nature.

    ReplyDelete
  142. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Ditto 95% of the others...take away the crappy black bar or give the USERS the option to turn it off.

    And...I had to Google the "BLACK BAR" to find out about it...not a hint or any info on GOOGLE about it.

    The 'team' that implemented this are idiots, obviously don't even use Google. Get a brain.

    ReplyDelete
  143. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I tried clearing my cookies and it went away :). I'm so glad

    ReplyDelete
  144. ChristieJune 28, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    I don't like it at all, it is tacky looking. It doesn't go with the rest of the layout's colors, and the white and rainbow colors were wonderful. I don't know why they would want to change it.

    ReplyDelete
  145. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    i've tried clearing cookies and it still stays. its dog ugly google. get rid of it or give us the option to change it. DONT BE EVIL!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  146. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    The White Page is your signature Google. Are you trying to turn into New Coke? We know what happened to it!

    ReplyDelete
  147. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Just leave it alone if we wanted a black bar someone would make it as an add on. What is someone try to protect there job ?

    ReplyDelete
  148. AmandaJune 28, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    I hate...

    ReplyDelete
  149. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    I hate this bar times 1000.

    ReplyDelete
  150. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    I will never use google again if they don;t get rid of it

    ReplyDelete
  151. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    DONT BE EVIL - get rid of the black bar please

    ReplyDelete
  152. Steve MCJune 28, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Hate it. This and the Home column, always telling me to "Enable Chat," are seriously making me think of dumping Google for Good.

    Hey Google - when people are willing to pay to have something you forced on us fixed (as I have twice to get rid of that extra column on my home page), it's not a good sign that you're listening.

    ReplyDelete
  153. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    I changed my homepage to Yahoo, really hate this stupid black bar. Google has become too big to listen the users, they do whatver they like. But there are other search tools available. I will never use Google's page anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  154. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    Yuck! Kill the black bar! Hate it Hate it Hate it! I'm glad a lot of people are voicing their disgust. What is it with these companies that can NEVER leave things alone! Get rid of it!

    ReplyDelete
  155. Richard McKeethenJune 28, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    I find the black bar... intrusive. Jarring. Somehow, just not right. I'd prefer going back to the way it was before, or at least having the option to revert to the previous look.

    ReplyDelete
  156. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Ugly... frankly Google is sh..y !
    I tried a monkeygrease script, but it did worked out for me !
    Grrr !

    ReplyDelete
  157. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    I absolutely HATE the black bar. It's too distracting. Google, please GET RID OF IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  158. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    I think some hare-brained employee at Google(a woman?) probably thought that changing the color of the nav bar is as essential as changing hair or nail color.

    This is as absurd as the 'minimalist fade' experiment Google once tried on its main page. It is retarded, it is unnecessary, and shame on Google for even THINKING about it in the first place.

    ReplyDelete
  159. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    I hate the new black Bar..

    Why on earth put charcoal grey lettering in it as well ?

    The previous bar was easy enough to see.

    But being vision impaired makes this new bar virtually impossible to use.

    Perhaps when they are potentially sued by vision impaired groups & individiuals, they might come to realize the error of their ways.

    ReplyDelete
  160. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Black bar cuts down the visual impression of a big screen. Users should be given a choice to remove it.

    ReplyDelete
  161. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    To everyone who hates the black bar, bet you said the same thing when google chrome first changed it's icon from 3D ball to a more sleeker one... Stop whining. Give it some time. I don't like it much either but i'm not going to let my "i'm used to white" feeling get in the way of a change.

    BTW: it's part of the google plus project

    ReplyDelete
  162. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Also have this black line now. No choice. This comes after disturbing doodles making you afraid of having your mouse on screen while working. This raises the question : shall I keep Google as my default screen like it was for years, since it was "just" (so) simple and (so) useful.. I'll have to consider moving to something else. Strange marketing, why do they give user no choice to stay basic ? I left yahoo for a similar process a long time ago..

    ReplyDelete
  163. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    And please, are you seriously threatening to switch over to the 'crowded' homepage of yahoo over google just over a black bar?

    I like yahoo now and then, especially for flickr(way better than picasa)but The reason Google dominates in search is because of its simplistic interface. people don't want extra info like news etc.. when all they want to do is search.

    A switch to yahoo over a black bar sounds empty.

    ReplyDelete
  164. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Ah...finally someone who does not mind the black bar and also knows about the Google plus project - must be some Google designer trying to convince that this black bar is really good for us...of course they know better that we stupid users.

    ReplyDelete
  165. GilesJune 28, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Please remove the black band. It is depressing.

    ReplyDelete
  166. UnknownJune 28, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    It sucks!

    ReplyDelete
  167. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    The Black Nav bar sucks! Keep both black and white, but don't mess with the triditional screen.

    ReplyDelete
  168. DeniseJune 28, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    I hate it! I have vision problems and I found the blue or black lettering on a white background much easier to read! Please fix this! Or I will have to find an alternate search engine!

    ReplyDelete
  169. ArihanterJune 28, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    Using Google India. This black bar is absolutely hideous. Google is smacking of full-blown arrogance. Whoever likes this atrociousness can keep it, but atleast give us an option to revert back to the original. Do not shove this hideousness down our throats. Absolutely HATE it.

    ReplyDelete
  170. AnonymousJune 28, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Just downloaded an update on Firefox for Youtube mp3 downloader, now have the dreaded black bar as well, hope google makes a fix to turn it off or i am off to another browser.

    ReplyDelete
  171. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    If this doesn't go, I am.

    ReplyDelete
  172. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    I fixed my f-ed up google black thingy....hehe

    Add-ons for Firefox:

    Remove It Permanently

    Remove It Permanently 1.0.6.10
    by Jerome O'Flaherty

    ReplyDelete
  173. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    Please let us have an option to switch back to white!!!

    I was trying to see if you provided that, but there's nothing in any settings.

    ReplyDelete
  174. Mark FordJune 29, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    I too really don't like this black bar and wish I could choose a pastel colour. Why is the AdSense at the top of a page a very subtle (nearly invisible) pastel colour yet the navigation bar is bang in my face and makes the page look shorter??

    ReplyDelete
  175. AspectsJune 29, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Any way to get rid of the black bar? Very oppressive.

    ReplyDelete
  176. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Quote "a more sleeker one... Stop whining. Give it some time."

    How about give the users a choice. Give the users easy-to-find OPTIONS to turn things off and preserve the way it was, or to choose the color they want, after all it's called SOFT-ware not HARD-ware and it would be easy for google to provide options for this, instead it's just scarce options - hardly any choice for the UI - I'm telling you it's arrogance and "look at what we can do ha ha" and google IS OPPOSED TO USER CHOICE AND GRANULAR USER OPTIONS. THERE SHOULD BE AN OUTRAGE.

    ReplyDelete
  177. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    The black bar is ugly, and the lack of contrast probably well-nigh impossible to read for many people with vision difficulties. And what's with the really annoying 2-pixel high red bar in the top-left corner? It makes it look as if there's something up there that's scrolled off the screen.

    Please make this a configurable option so folks can change the default and put it back to blue on whit ... or equally change it to lime-green on orange if that's what they prefer. Without that I think a lot of accessibility organisations are going to be up in arms about this.

    ReplyDelete
  178. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    If this ugly black bar isn't removed, i'll quit to bing !!!

    ReplyDelete
  179. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 1:46 AM

    i do not like the black bar, i think all white was much more smooth as a design

    ReplyDelete
  180. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    hate it. hate it. hate it.

    ReplyDelete
  181. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    Seen at google.es
    I don't like...

    ReplyDelete
  182. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    OK, take the hint Google and get rid of the black bar...

    ReplyDelete
  183. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    If by tomorrow the black stripe is still on I'll change search engine immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  184. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    This grease monkey script removes it

    http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/105723

    ReplyDelete
  185. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    i see it too,

    i don't like the high contrast between the bar and the rest of the page.
    far too intrusive for me

    ReplyDelete
  186. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    Saw it today for the first time, and don't like it at all. Too hard to see the descriptive fields in white - specially when you're eyes are old, like mine!

    ReplyDelete
  187. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    The black is too aggressive. I don't like it.

    ReplyDelete
  188. FaustinoJune 29, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    The new look is fresh, focussed, the black is to agressive thouhg, do this design in grey or just plain white.

    ReplyDelete
  189. Rajesh SharmaJune 29, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    This bar is worst i am missing old white bar in india.. Google should not treat us badly :(

    ReplyDelete
  190. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    This black bar is idea of stupidest person.You cant just change the thing which people love.You guys are worlds top company this is a blunder never expected it from google.

    ReplyDelete
  191. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    It's awful.

    I hope someone will create some script to change the color without removing the whole bar.

    ReplyDelete
  192. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Hate it, hate it, hate it...

    ReplyDelete
  193. ThoraghJune 29, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    I wish Google would see what is being posted here, but I doubt they will ever check. I too see the black bar. I too hate it. I too think it is the beginning to the end of an era. Next thing you know they will start putting advertisements on there :(

    ReplyDelete
  194. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    A black bar over a totally white page with blue letters... Now, who was the totally retarded "genius" who thought about this one?

    Plus, who was complaining about the old design? They are going to lose people due to this and will they win people? No they won't.

    ReplyDelete
  195. PhilippeJune 29, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    I'd really prefer a blue transparent bar than this black one which hurt my eyes with using my everyday Google services... even if I'm really looking forward the Google+ project

    ReplyDelete
  196. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    I dislike this bar. This one black bar on an otherwise white background draws my eyes toward it and is distracting. Please provide option to change back.

    ReplyDelete
  197. lunamacJune 29, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    What are Goggle thinkg of???
    This ugly black toolbar is horrendous.
    Why do something that takes away from the nice coloured GOOGLE logo?
    Google have gone silly.

    ReplyDelete
  198. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    "1. First, install GreaseMonkey:
    https://addons.mozilla.org/pl/firefox/addon/greasemonkey/
    2. Second, install GoogleBar Classic GreaseMonkey script:
    http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/105744

    Say bye to black bar."

    Seriously? It bothered you that much that you had to waste time making a greasemonkey script for it?

    If people would spend as much time on things that mattered as they do on useless things on the internet, the world would be amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  199. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    looks like crap, change it back...

    ReplyDelete
  200. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    Yay ill have to find a new search engine then, google and their crap and behind the sceens ileagle activities, god only knows what this shits about, and if its to fit in with their fone, idk im on a Pc.

    ReplyDelete

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