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October 25, 2011

Chrome Web Store's Redesign

As promised, Google's Chrome Web Store has a new interface that uses promotional images and larger screenshots, opens extension pages in overlays and makes it easier to install extensions, themes and apps. Another change is that the new version is a lot faster as it uses AJAX to load extension pages. Infinite scrolling replaces pagination, so you no longer have to click "next".

"Promotional images are your chance to capture users' attention and entice them to learn more. Don't just use a screenshot; your images should primarily communicate the brand," suggests Google in the documentation.





Unfortunately, search results are now terrible, as you can see in the screenshot above. When searching for [Gmail], from the top 10 search results, only 2 extensions and apps are relevant. The top search result for [YouTube] is AdBlock, while the first result for [Google Docs] is FB Photo Zoom. The search algorithm is not good enough and Google made things worse by mixing the results for extensions and apps.

The new interface is only available in Chrome and Chromium, so you can go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore in a different browser to see the old interface.




{ Thanks, Costin and Jérémy. }

23 comments:

  1. Can't get the search part... What's so difficult about that - Android Market search is not super good, but at least it brings something that matches your query in the title or description...

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  2. My extensions ratings and comments have been wiped out by your redesign. They still show up in other browsers as well as in the developer dashboard. I hope this is a temporary bug.

    Also, I think the redesign is awful. Like, really awful. Bring back the old design and spruce that up a little bit, but wow the new design is bad.

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  3. Really nice applications added to the web store at google chrome. I like it. Thanks for sharing such useful info.

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  4. It looks nice (I think) but the reviews/comments are still a steaming hot mess! Ever since Google changed the comments order, it's been hell trying to communicate with extension/theme/app devs.

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  5. The comment sorting still pisses me off

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  6. They should've made it to look like other new Google products... already known as Google+ style.

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  7. Something that you missed: create a profile to rate
    I have been rating (and commenting on) chrome extension for years! Now I have to create a google profile!

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  8. Yeah I just commented on a game (Bouncy Mouse) and when I published the comment, my Google ID was linked to the comment, so I removed the comment.

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  9. Terrible! I can`t figure out how to search extensions.

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  10. no more google apps commenting / rating possible. nice google

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  11. I like the next design the layout and so fourth, even if it does not fit in with the rest of Google designs.

    But the contrast between the text and the background is terrible, I can barely see the text let alone read it.
    Also the design seem to have ignore Google other redesigns.


    Actually like the fact that commenting is now link to Google profile, this means now you can judge the reliability of the person behind the comment.

    I think Google need to create a team inside google to build a single commenting system that works across all the products that needs a comment system, instead of the mix mash of systems they have got now.

    I also think Google need to create a seperate department/unit within Google to handle all of there software under one roof. Instead of each team creating there own store, which to be the case at the moment.

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  12. can Google incorporate their super seo algorithm in this web stores... at least it make the result kind a relevant... :-)

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  13. It looks ok, yet to use it. The reviews aren't too good though.

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  14. Talk about a regression, I can't find anything anymore.

    OK Google is not Apple as design goes, but this is just horrible.

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  15. Your site really has some cool things to read. I Like it very much.

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  16. I agree with the original post that the search results are horrible. Tried to find a few key add-ons and had tons of irrelevant links to wade through.

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  17. I don't like it. Seems like a backward step to me

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  18. The search results aren't too good either

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  19. omg no similar extension , i like the old one

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  20. I'm just getting familiar with this "store" side of the marketing business. I've been a fan of Google's Chrome for months now. Can't ever go back to Microsoft's IE as a browser platform. I needed the information provided by this website to expand my knowledge base. Thanks for the info.!

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  21. I hate this design, it's disgusting, inconvenient, and unnecessary! The new design is very slow and requires high-speed Internet connection!

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  22. The design is not great but I wouldn't say it was disgusting!

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