Call it phase two. Google first launched its personalized
home page for users almost two years ago. Today, the search giant is
adding to the personalization
options with its first set of “dynamic themes.”
The six themes, or “skins,” are the first of many Google plans to release. “Beach, City,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Teahouse,” “Seasonal Scape,” and “Bus Stop” are the themes being released today. Google calls them “dynamic” because the themes are not a static one-off that only the user can change; rather Google itself pushes out the changes based on certain algorithmic and other factors throughout the day.
To get a theme added to your Google home page, you have to register with your zip code. Google uses that little bit of location information. In one example, the Bus Stop theme shows people waiting at a bus stop and a gentleman’s toupee is seen blowing off his head.
This is directly tied to a weather report (windy in this case) for that zip
code.
Google said it researched how other sites added themes and thinks its
dynamic approach adds unique value.
“There seems to be a high utility when a theme is added. Users are delighted, but then the interest drops off over time,” Jessica Ewing, Google’s product manager for personalized homepage, told internetnews.com. “We wanted to keep these themes interesting over time and continually delight users.”
The themes were implemented with a CSS
designed to scale. Google said the technology will let it push out hundreds
of new themes if it so chooses. When and if more themes arrive depends on
how well the roll out goes and user feedback. “We hope to release a lot more
themes going forward,” said Ewing.
She also said it is technically possible for Google to release some kind
of API
but there are no current plans to do so. “Our real hope and purpose is to
make these themes non-commercial,” said Ewing. Google already offers an API that
lets developers add certain modules to the Google home page.
JupiterKagan analyst Sapna Satagopan noted that Yahoo has offered themes
and different aesthetic personalization options at its home page for quite
some time.
“Google offered different content, but now it’s looking at deeper levels
of personalization,” Satagopan told internetnews.com. “It makes sense
for them to push the customization a bit.”
Visitors to Google’s famously clean search sight have noticed the
occasional flourish to the Google logo on holidays and other occasions.
“Now they are testing themes, which I think will appeal to a younger
demographic Google hasn’t specifically targeted before,” said Satagopan.
In its testing of the themes, Ewing said Google has concluded there won’t
be any latency issues with the added graphics and dynamic customization. The
themes also support browser resizing.
“One of our goals was not to touch the user content, all the info is
preserved on a white background,” said Ewing. “But there’s also enough
artistry there for the user to feel a connection with the product.”
