The fall of Google?

[JDArt]

Google has done amazingly well at maintaining its competitive advantage--simplicity--while subtly taking on features that allow it to stay in business.

With the recent changes implemented in its search engine, though, I'm not sure that success is going to last. I've already been annoyed enough by two new "features" to start looking seriously for other "default" search engines.

1. Open the Google page and start typing. Previously, the screen didn't shift. Now, though, as soon as you start typing, Google shifts the search box to the top of the page, and displays ads to the right and distracting search results below.

2. Worse than #1 is that the actual search results you get are now often preceded by "sponosored links" above your search results, in addition to those on the right. This, of course, makes finding what you're actually looking for a bit more challenging.

Am I the only one annoyed?

Are there search engines that you prefer?

[JDArt]

Okay, I just figured out that by clicking the new "turn off streaming" link, you can eliminate annoyance #1 above.

[brian.austin]

I'm still finding what I want faster via Google than anything else. The 'sponsored' links have always been there from what I remember...just more obvious about it.

[Ken-L]

Try using this URL for Google: Google

[Canonian]

TBH, if you use any search engine they all have sponsors' links

[LibertyHeir]

IMHO Google is still the best! Especially when searching for technical information.

But then, I've been burned a couple of times, so I'm paranoid and keep my browser/system stripped to the bare essentials by not subscribing to RSS feeds or any sort of streaming. That and I never add any toolbars/accelerators as all that I've seen tend to run background processes that detract from over all system performance.

[miccy]

Nah, i don't think it's the fall of Google, but it is really annoying i would say. I just hope it was an experiment by Google team.

[swampler]

I always just search using the google bar at the top of my browser and never go to the google search page.

[wildmaven]

I use Google Chrome and there are no ads.

[justanotherjoe]

Oddly enough I use google all the time I dont see this change. When I go to google main page all it does is when I start typing just below tries to guess what I'm trying to type but no adds. When I have entered my search term there's sponsors to the right but nothing on top. You may have an addon or tool bar that injects ads? Or your services providers injecting ads?