BleepingComputer.com: Background images take over the Google homepage

In a move that seems quite Bing-esque, Google has introduced background images to their homepage. This new feature, which was announced last week, allows you to select a background image for the Google homepage. For today only, Google has collaborated with well-known artists for a selection of background images that Google will automatically apply to the Google homepage when you visit.





For me at least, I find these background images to be annoying. One of the reasons I love Google, other than their search results, is that it is a simple and clean interface with little or no distractions. The first thing I noticed when using Google today was the background image and I found it distracting.

Unfortunately, for today only you will not be able to remove these background images. You can, though, select your own background to be used instead. This can be done by clicking on the Change background image link in the lower left hand corner of the Google home page. If you do not see this link, refresh the page as some backgrounds make the link invisible.

Once you click on this link you can then select a variety of different public pictures, Editor's picks, pictures from a Picasa account, or upload a picture from your computer.

No Google you need to stay the way you are, the best and different. I hate the Bing search engine, it never brings up the same thing for the same search. And Bing hardly ever gives you the direct link or website, just another pathway to another search. Bing maybe revolutionary in it's feature, but it is very annoying in itself.

Google please do copy or be like Bing, stay Google-fied!

I agree with chansen stay like you are Google. Bing is nothing but jumbled up mess of things flashing and trying to sell something. As Grinler has stated, very annoying. My desktop is black with a few icons. I don't like pictures there either.When I want pictures I will Google and get pictures and if I don't want to keep them there gone.

I agree. If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.

Google should not try to be anything but Google. Clean and sleek.

It seems that Google has gone back to their classic white background (thankfully), although you can still change it if you please.

I noticed they changed it back to classic too!
Must have gotten a lot of complaints

THe pics were nice and might make good wallpaper but I think it was distracting!

I noticed it earlier, and thought "wow, thats stupid, the reason people use google instead of yahoo/bing/msn/etc. is because its simple, and you can do exactly what you want - search the web." Then reading the topic I see that they've changed it back. Good call google.

This post has been edited by NpaMA: 11 June 2010 - 05:37 AM

I do not like it at all.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I miss the old Google.

Same here. Google had it right the first time.

I don't see any background images. Looks like it did before except they have navigation links in a column instead of across the top.

~ OB

On mine the option is down at the corner.

Following the link will allow you to choose a photo

This post has been edited by Martel: 13 June 2010 - 12:32 AM

I don't see that either. Must be because I have Javascripts blocked, which is fine by me.

~ OB

I guess you have to "login" to your Google acct in order to change the background anyway, so who the heck is going to do that, just to Google something?

This post has been edited by AustinTerry: 25 June 2010 - 04:01 PM

I never go for things like that. All I can say is ... wow. Google really needs to get their head screwed on straighter than they do.