Google Tests Shaded Site Name & Favicon For Search Results

Google is testing shading the background color in gray behind the favicon and site name and URL for the mobile search results. It brings a little bit more of a design flair to the ten blue links, don't you think?

Here is a screenshot from Gagan Ghotra on X who said, "I'm just seeing one color being used for background so seems like it's not something that Google do for Knowledge Panels - changing background color for different queries."

Here is dark mode:

I'm seeing a new layout (background corner around sitename) for the first time in Google results in the USA.

I've also noticed several layout changes like this. Not sure if it's completely new or if it's been around for a while.@rustybrick , any thoughts on this? pic.twitter.com/8s7qd6waPa

— Vijay Chauhan 📈 - SEO for Enterprise Businesses (@VijayChauhanSEO) June 11, 2024

What do you think of this design?

Forum discussion at X.

Note: This was pre-written and scheduled to be posted today, I am currently offline for Shavout.

Update: It seems live for me on Sunday, June 16th:

I’m seeing the new Google mobile search interface https://t.co/GUxc8VCZLx pic.twitter.com/gih8rpv8Fb

— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) June 16, 2024

Update: The shaded design is on videos too:

More screenshots of new UI for video pack in Google's Search Results it's mobile only for now 🙂 pic.twitter.com/MVS2pnJ3TS

— Gagan Ghotra (@gaganghotra_) June 19, 2024

Update 3: Another variation of this test:

Google is now testing out a new display for mobile search results, featuring a light grey background for the favicon and site name. Another difference is the URL being placed beside the date. This test is an extension of another recent test. Details: https://t.co/d5ztTaCf7O pic.twitter.com/v3KCzgTBfK

— SERP Alert (@SERPalerts) August 30, 2024

Update 4: Frank Sandtmann spotted another difference, he posted on Mastodon:

Update 5: More variations of this:

🔴 ICYMI: Google is Testing, Showing URL with favicon after site name

Not only search results but reflecting on Featured Snippets too

1️⃣ Favicon
2️⃣ Name of Site
3️⃣ Domain, URL of Result

Now you know the Domain, URL you are going to click@rustybrick #SEO #Google @gaganghotra_ pic.twitter.com/nfuEV5Lg9s

— 𝕏 (@iSagarBedi) October 5, 2024

@rustybrick Is Google testing a new design with rounded buttons for site names in SERP? 👀#SEO #GoogleUpdates pic.twitter.com/2qh7pZsCt8

— Manikandan N (@ManikandanNSEO) October 4, 2024

@rustybrick Google is testing Light Gray, to the website name and Favicon on Google search. Here is the screenshots for your reference. pic.twitter.com/5I8TVi5aNJ

— nishant Gupta (@NishantSEONepal) October 4, 2024

Yeap now in desktop results too, I just noticed this one. Also earlier today @RedCardinal noticed it on desktop too and posted https://t.co/3qFJnmRXGj pic.twitter.com/Khf1BYM5sz

— Gagan Ghotra (@gaganghotra_) October 4, 2024

Update: More variations:

Google is testing a new layout featuring sitename and URL in one line, with the favicon and sitename on a very light gray background (#f4f6f7).
cc:L @rustybrick pic.twitter.com/ykSj7ihr0X

— Shameem Adhikarath (@shemiadhikarath) October 18, 2024