October 25, 2011

Chrome Web Store's Redesign

As promised, Google's Chrome Web Store has a new interface that uses promotional images and larger screenshots, opens extension pages in overlays and makes it easier to install extensions, themes and apps. Another change is that the new version is a lot faster as it uses AJAX to load extension pages. Infinite scrolling replaces pagination, so you no longer have to click "next".

"Promotional images are your chance to capture users' attention and entice them to learn more. Don't just use a screenshot; your images should primarily communicate the brand," suggests Google in the documentation.





Unfortunately, search results are now terrible, as you can see in the screenshot above. When searching for [Gmail], from the top 10 search results, only 2 extensions and apps are relevant. The top search result for [YouTube] is AdBlock, while the first result for [Google Docs] is FB Photo Zoom. The search algorithm is not good enough and Google made things worse by mixing the results for extensions and apps.

The new interface is only available in Chrome and Chromium, so you can go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore in a different browser to see the old interface.




{ Thanks, Costin and Jérémy. }
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23 comments:

  1. TOctober 25, 2011 at 2:42 AM

    Cool! I like it!

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  2. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Can't get the search part... What's so difficult about that - Android Market search is not super good, but at least it brings something that matches your query in the title or description...

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  3. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    My extensions ratings and comments have been wiped out by your redesign. They still show up in other browsers as well as in the developer dashboard. I hope this is a temporary bug.

    Also, I think the redesign is awful. Like, really awful. Bring back the old design and spruce that up a little bit, but wow the new design is bad.

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  4. Blizzard DOTAOctober 25, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Really nice applications added to the web store at google chrome. I like it. Thanks for sharing such useful info.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    It looks nice (I think) but the reviews/comments are still a steaming hot mess! Ever since Google changed the comments order, it's been hell trying to communicate with extension/theme/app devs.

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  6. Robert DaileyOctober 25, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    The comment sorting still pisses me off

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  7. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    They should've made it to look like other new Google products... already known as Google+ style.

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  8. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Something that you missed: create a profile to rate
    I have been rating (and commenting on) chrome extension for years! Now I have to create a google profile!

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  9. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Yeah I just commented on a game (Bouncy Mouse) and when I published the comment, my Google ID was linked to the comment, so I removed the comment.

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  10. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Terrible! I can`t figure out how to search extensions.

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  11. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    no more google apps commenting / rating possible. nice google

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  12. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    I like the next design the layout and so fourth, even if it does not fit in with the rest of Google designs.

    But the contrast between the text and the background is terrible, I can barely see the text let alone read it.
    Also the design seem to have ignore Google other redesigns.


    Actually like the fact that commenting is now link to Google profile, this means now you can judge the reliability of the person behind the comment.

    I think Google need to create a team inside google to build a single commenting system that works across all the products that needs a comment system, instead of the mix mash of systems they have got now.

    I also think Google need to create a seperate department/unit within Google to handle all of there software under one roof. Instead of each team creating there own store, which to be the case at the moment.

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  13. AdvantixguysOctober 26, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    can Google incorporate their super seo algorithm in this web stores... at least it make the result kind a relevant... :-)

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  14. SharronOctober 27, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    It looks ok, yet to use it. The reviews aren't too good though.

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  15. jptherrienOctober 30, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Talk about a regression, I can't find anything anymore.

    OK Google is not Apple as design goes, but this is just horrible.

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  16. BBC.CNN NEWS WORLDOctober 31, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Your site really has some cool things to read. I Like it very much.

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  17. Kevin WNovember 1, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    I agree with the original post that the search results are horrible. Tried to find a few key add-ons and had tons of irrelevant links to wade through.

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  18. teeth whitening stripsNovember 9, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    I don't like it. Seems like a backward step to me

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  19. SharronNovember 12, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    The search results aren't too good either

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  20. AnonymousNovember 27, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    omg no similar extension , i like the old one

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  21. Leonard A Scruggs, JrNovember 29, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    I'm just getting familiar with this "store" side of the marketing business. I've been a fan of Google's Chrome for months now. Can't ever go back to Microsoft's IE as a browser platform. I needed the information provided by this website to expand my knowledge base. Thanks for the info.!

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  22. anGel_OnEJanuary 16, 2012 at 7:16 PM

    I hate this design, it's disgusting, inconvenient, and unnecessary! The new design is very slow and requires high-speed Internet connection!

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  23. janeApril 27, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    The design is not great but I wouldn't say it was disgusting!

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