[Discussion] Google Reintroduces Paginated Search Results in Response to User Feedback

[Uncrowned Guard]

In a significant nod to the past, tech giant Google has announced that it is re-introducing an old feature to its search engine - the ability to paginate search results rather than continue scrolling infinitely. The company says that the update is being rolled out in response to a multitude of user requests and will allow for a more organized and manageable browsing experience.

The Return of Paginated Search

Traditionally, navigating through search results involved clicking on numbers at the bottom of the page to move from one page to the next. In 2011, however, Google changed this by adopting infinite scrolling, making it possible for users to keep scrolling down for as long as there were more results to show. After a decade of endless scrolling, Google has decided to revert back to the old-school paginated search. This means that users will once again click on numbered pages to navigate through the results after the first page.

Saying Goodbye to Endless Scrolling

Why did Google decide to bring back pagination now? According to the tech giant, they received feedback from users citing difficulty tracking or returning to specific search results on a long, infinite list. It can be unwieldy to scroll through hundreds, if not thousands, of items without a clear point of division. With paginated search, Google re-organizes the search results into manageable pages, making it easier for users to mentally catalog the results they have seen and return to them later.

The Impact on User Experience

Bringing back pagination is all about improving the user experience. This update adds a level of organization and navigational simplicity that was typically lacking in endless scrolling. In fact, the paginated format may be more efficient for users who perform plenty of searches, as they can easily keep track of the results and know exactly how far they’ve scrolled.

However, it also signifies Google's recognition of diverse user preferences. By providing both paginated search and infinite scroll (which will still be available in Image search), Google is catering to the different browsing habits of its broad user base. It's a clear indicator that listening to user feedback and resolving their issues forms a significant part of Google's user-centric approach to continual improvement.

In summary, Google's return to paginated search results could make web browsing more manageable and efficient for millions of its users. It's worth checking out the next time you dive into a deep Google search.

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[Kyng]

I have to admit, I wasn't aware that they'd ever been infinite-scrolling: for me, they've always used pagination! 

Maybe it's because of certain settings I have, or the infinite scroll just didn't make it to my part of the world?