Are Google Copying Us?
Here at Service Central we've been doing a bit of housecleaning and tidying up the website... and have noticed that it seems Google is doing something similar. Something VERY similar, in fact!
A year or so ago now we introduced a side navigation to the Service Central website. We found we'd grown out of the 'tabbed' design (literally - we couldn't fit everything in!) so we decided on a side navigation to make using Service Central easier.
Then, lo and behold, not long after Google, too, had a side navigation!
A few months back we added a grey strip to the top of our site (it now has a search box too! Try it out!) once again to help keep things organised and make the site easier and faster to use.
So, surprise surprise, what has Google introduced to their design? A grey strip across the top! Look familiar, anyone?
Finally very, very recently we went through and gave our business profile pages a make over. They were looking a bit dated and really weren't showing off our fantastic registered businesses as well as they could. (Learn more about the redesign).
Really, this time we shouldn't have been surprised.
Yep, that's a Google Business Profile you're looking at there. Not only is the layout almost exactly the same, Google are also 'borrowing' the images from other websites as well, so the gallery images shown for the business are the exact same as what you'd see here on Service Central or on other directories such as True Local or Yellow Pages.
Are we just being paranoid? Or is Google really copying us? They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but with Google out doing its best to take over the universe I'm not sure if that's the case in this instance!
And really, where to from here? What will Google copy next? Maybe they're done with copying our design and they'll start copying our business model instead! With Google Shopping Google has already shown that they're willing to encroach on the territory of websites such as Ebay and Amazon... What will they do next?
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Author's Note: Ok, so maybe Google did the side nav before us, but the similarities are still a bit eery, aren't they?)
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Surely this can't be serious!!!
over a year ago by David -
Are you guys fking serious? Google copying you? Haha way to talk yourselves up.
over a year ago by George Uchov
Pompous idiots -
Of course we're not taking this seriously George! Don't be so silly!
over a year ago by danial_ahchow
The internet is a place to have fun, and boy do we know how to have fun @ Service Central! -
I couldn't help but read then laugh at George's comment.
over a year ago by John O'Connor
George is right, I think you guys are copying Google instead of Google copying you. Notice how you're using the maps taken from Google maps?
Your post was 3 months ago and Google had already implemented those things you mentioned months before hand.
I know you're just playing around Danial but thought I'd add my 2 cents in. Just in case your readers forget to read the comments below. Hope it's all clarified.
