Google Gets Fancy, Lets Users Create Custom Homepages

Aside from the rainbow colored logo and it’s whimsical variations, Google’s homepage has taken a severely minimalist approach with its sparse background. All that changed today when Google announced that visitors of the popular search engine’s page will now have the ability to customize the page to suit their aesthetic whims. Thanks to the unassuming “Change Image Background” link in the lower-left corner of the site, people that want to spruce up their Google homepage have to option of uploading a picture from their Picasa account, their hard drive or a set of stock images provided by Google.  It’s a pretty simple process, you just select your photo, click upload and voila, a decorated background as evidenced by my snazzy new homepage (Say hello to my dog Xerxes!).

While it doesn’t add any functionality to the site, it’s a fun addition. That said, no reason has been given for the decision to give users the ability to gussy up their homepage. It could be a subliminal shot taken at Microsoft Bing, who has become Google’s biggest competitor with in the search engine game. Bing updates their homepage daily with stunning images. In addition to the eye candy, Bing also includes fun fact about the origin of the photo. Today’s photo of the fox, includes a link to an even cuter picture of fox kits, a link to the history of Prince Edwards island, and an entry on that specific fox species.

Would you customize your Google homepage? Do you prefer Bing’s approach? Let us know in the comments section.

About the Author
Sherri is a freelance writer that has a love of all things fun and geeky including gadgets, gaming, anime, and comics. When she isn't writing or out on the town living it up, she loves doing 10-12 hour marathon sessions on her Xbox 360 or one of her older consoles. It's not an addiction, it's a way of life!
See all posts by Sherri L. Smith.