Google revamps search results page

Google on Wednesday began a global roll-out of streamlined search results pages enhanced with tools for more effectively tracking down content on the Internet.

"It's powerful, yet simple," Google vice president of search products and user experience Marissa Mayer said in an online message explaining results page updates.

"We want to ensure that the Google you use today is better than the one you used yesterday, and these latest changes open up many possibilities for future features and enhancements."

The left side of the results page was given a navigation panel featuring tools to refine queries with options including prioritizing more current content or pursuing related topics.

"In addition to the left-hand side changes, we've updated our look and feel in terms of our color palette and our logo," Mayer said. "These changes are slight, keeping our page minimalist and whimsical, but make our overall look more modern."