Google testing out a new navigational layout!

Google appears to be testing out a new navigational layout, one that takes the search options that normally show in the left-hand column of a search results page and moving them to above the search results.

The choice to select the type of search such as “web” or “shopping” — appears to the left of search results. Further down in this column is an option to select “More” search options or to make use of search tools such as limiting searches by date.

In the new layout, these all move above the search results:

Google has used a similar horizontal layout for its tablet display for some time. The format shown above is similar to that but not exactly the same, particularly in terms of the drop-downs. But it may be that Google is looking to unify its desktop and tablet displays.