"We discovered Google [search] has two substantially different kinds of user. One is the experienced search user – the basic Google interface is very suitable for them. But we also have large numbers of another kind of user with extremely limited needs: 'mouse clickers'. They just want to type key words to go quickly to their favorite website, but they are often stuck in Google for a long time without finding what they want," explains a Google China PR (focus on the meaning of the text, not on its form).
As you can see in the screenshot above (that shows an English translation of the page), Google links to popular Chinese sites, including Google's competitors. There are also categories and subcategories that let you discover the site you want to visit using only the mouse.
"The topmost categories include blogs, novels and literature, desktop wallpapers, photos, pinups and humor. (...) Different category sections can be repositioned with basic Ajax or Web 2.0 techniques. But even here, simplicity reigns. There's no potentially confusing drag and drop interface, just simple arrows that move a section up or down."
Google tries really hard to adapt to a Chinese market dominated by Baidu, the local Google*. And if some of the services designed for China are successful, they might become a part of Google's international offering.
{ Thank you, Akay. }
* Baidu has a lot in common with Google: the name (Baidu means "hundreds of times"), the sparse homepage, the advertising model and the similar list of services.
Does Google use PageRank in China to rank quality of content? Does Baidu have a similar algorithm which it uses to rank content quality?
ReplyDeletePerhaps this new Google page was also designed to appeal to those who browse with phones, where it would be a hassle to type in letters. The majority of China internet users use phones to browse, I believe, so it would make sense that the technology would start there. Though I must say that that page isn't ready to be browsed on phones easily. Opera Mini Simulator
ReplyDeleteisnt this feature available in English version
ReplyDelete