As we become a more important part of the computer, web usability is evolving beyond the GUI (graphical user interface) consisting of cathode tubes, mice and men, into sensory indicators, volumetric displays and complex navigation systems which optimize the information and actions available to users. It is towards these endeavours that the guiding principles of web usability aim to provide users “unbiased access to information, focusing on their needs and giving them the best products and services possible.” - Google code of conduct. By the same token, Google's website provides a familiar usability paradigm for a majority of today's users, while exemplifying five key attributes traditionally associated with web usability: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction.
Learnability, according to ISO 9126, is a web site's proficiency in enabling the user to learn how to use it, and in these matters, designing a website for document requests or onetime visitors; learnability becomes the most important element in terms of Google's usability. The success of Google's learnability is not sophistication; it is simplicity, which is why it draws 56% of all searches. A recognizable home page layout containing a header with logotype and simple root navigation, a body drawing focus to a search dialog and footer with navigation to further reading is complimented by a clean and organized spacing of elements. Copywriting throughout the site is in accordance with W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) design standards of a white background, black text using standard fonts, with navigation elements: blue, underlined, text labels, alerting the user to visited hyperlinks. Google's sub pages contain large volumes of information presented 
hierarchally using the simplest web design elements in familiar document formats, significantly reducing the learning process for new web users. Combined, these elements form a user friendly experience for Google users and contribute to other factors of usability such as efficiency and memorability.
Once the system is learned a high level of productivity is possible if efficiency is maintained. Google achieves efficiency by applying open source standards-based programming practices such as the Google API (Application Programming Interface) across its platform; facilitating easy maintenance, update, and upgrade for a variety of user proficiencies, operating systems, and web browsers. Moreover, Google is shrewdly devoid of promotional banners, pop-ups, or any other tactic designed to distract its users from tasks whether it be searching, posting, or advertising for that matter. Efficiency builds trust - Google understands this principle well.
The higher a site's learnability is, the higher the memorability. A memorable site must incorporate a design that enables users to quickly recall what they have learned and easily repeat tasks. Google's approach is one of consistency. The synergy of Google's aforementioned design principles and programming practices provide for a more consistent process and result across tasks. Whether a user is searching for documents, images, or videos, the process is identifiable and results are as expected. Even as Google continues to evolve, its form and function remain virtually unchanged since inception, lending credence to the notion that continuous change results in lack of memorability.
The system should have a low error rate so that users make few mistakes and can easily recover without further catastrophic error. Error handling code, for the most part, anticipates potential user mistakes, so it is appropriate that programming be tested using a representative population in the early stages and throughout the design lifecycle. Google's Open Source program encourages a wide body of professionals and end users to participate in code design and debugging, which produces a more robust product likely to circumvent errors.
As with a majority of websites today, W3C's Markup Validation Service1 found a number of errors on Google's home page, of which, the bulk result from pragmatic design considerations unrelated to user error rate or recovery factors and are therefore, commonly considered as causing outlier events during error testing. However, because inaccessibility issues affecting albeit a small group of users may arise from such errors, it remains Google's burden of further investigation to establish each atypical has indeed occurred and propose improvements.
The system should be pleasant to use so that the users are subjectively satisfied when using it. What's more, research into the relationships between demographic factors and customer approval found content quality in addition to usability as predictors of overall satisfaction.2 In Google's case; it is a continuous challenge to provide quality content given the growing volume of information and requirements created by users. Consequently, Google reciprocates by utilizing demographics made available by every ISP (Internet Service Provider) and collects personal information online through its products and services (see figure 3). For instance, Concordia University alumni navigating to Google.com are redirected to the Google.ca website offering appropriate Canadian context and search results sorted by proximity to Montreal.
Yet, nowhere is Google's commitment to demographic appeal more evident than in the use of its logotype of which it often includes Google Doodles on holidays, prominent birthdays, and major events. Clicking a Google Doodle links to topical search results, driving traffic to unsuspecting sites, but more importantly: serves to synergize established trust and social consciousness, creating a richer experience with content designed primarily for humans and search engine considerations secondary.
Google provides learnability using rudimentary web elements in familiar document formats and achieves efficiency by applying programming standards and guidelines across its platform. Additionally, learnability leads to improved efficiency and memorability, which in Google's case, is further enhanced by excluding banner advertising, promotional trappings, or similar distractions from its context. Google encourages end users to develop code and must continue to reduce errors and improve its validation standing through revision, while calling upon its benefactors to help improve content quality and overall satisfaction. In these respects, Google provides a model for web usability and it is not by accident that within Google's Code of Conduct lays the following dictum: “Our products, features and services should make Google more useful for all our users, whether they're searching, advertising or posting content, and whether they're large corporations or individuals. We have many different types of users, but one guiding principle: 'Is what we are offering useful?'”
So, as usability evolves in a world of apathy for information, amongst the blurred edges of virtual and reality: let us not forget the virtues of self discovery and personal experience. Usability must allow us to innovate freely and keep pace with our demands, yet usability must not degrade an individual's experience or suppress the human spirit, usability must: “Do No Evil.” - Google Motto
The higher a site's learnability is, the higher the memorability. A memorable site must incorporate a design that enables users to quickly recall what they have learned and easily repeat tasks. Google's approach is one of consistency. The synergy of Google's aforementioned design principles and programming practices provide for a more consistent process and result across tasks. Whether a user is searching for documents, images, or videos, the process is identifiable and results are as expected. Even as Google continues to evolve, its form and function remain virtually unchanged since inception, lending credence to the notion that continuous change results in lack of memorability.
The system should have a low error rate so that users make few mistakes and can easily recover without further catastrophic error. Error handling code, for the most part, anticipates potential user mistakes, so it is appropriate that programming be tested using a representative population in the early stages and throughout the design lifecycle. Google's Open Source program encourages a wide body of professionals and end users to participate in code design and debugging, which produces a more robust product likely to circumvent errors.
As with a majority of websites today, W3C's Markup Validation Service1 found a number of errors on Google's home page, of which, the bulk result from pragmatic design considerations unrelated to user error rate or recovery factors and are therefore, commonly considered as causing outlier events during error testing. However, because inaccessibility issues affecting albeit a small group of users may arise from such errors, it remains Google's burden of further investigation to establish each atypical has indeed occurred and propose improvements.
The system should be pleasant to use so that the users are subjectively satisfied when using it. What's more, research into the relationships between demographic factors and customer approval found content quality in addition to usability as predictors of overall satisfaction.2 In Google's case; it is a continuous challenge to provide quality content given the growing volume of information and requirements created by users. Consequently, Google reciprocates by utilizing demographics made available by every ISP (Internet Service Provider) and collects personal information online through its products and services (see figure 3). For instance, Concordia University alumni navigating to Google.com are redirected to the Google.ca website offering appropriate Canadian context and search results sorted by proximity to Montreal.
Yet, nowhere is Google's commitment to demographic appeal more evident than in the use of its logotype of which it often includes Google Doodles on holidays, prominent birthdays, and major events. Clicking a Google Doodle links to topical search results, driving traffic to unsuspecting sites, but more importantly: serves to synergize established trust and social consciousness, creating a richer experience with content designed primarily for humans and search engine considerations secondary.Google provides learnability using rudimentary web elements in familiar document formats and achieves efficiency by applying programming standards and guidelines across its platform. Additionally, learnability leads to improved efficiency and memorability, which in Google's case, is further enhanced by excluding banner advertising, promotional trappings, or similar distractions from its context. Google encourages end users to develop code and must continue to reduce errors and improve its validation standing through revision, while calling upon its benefactors to help improve content quality and overall satisfaction. In these respects, Google provides a model for web usability and it is not by accident that within Google's Code of Conduct lays the following dictum: “Our products, features and services should make Google more useful for all our users, whether they're searching, advertising or posting content, and whether they're large corporations or individuals. We have many different types of users, but one guiding principle: 'Is what we are offering useful?'”
So, as usability evolves in a world of apathy for information, amongst the blurred edges of virtual and reality: let us not forget the virtues of self discovery and personal experience. Usability must allow us to innovate freely and keep pace with our demands, yet usability must not degrade an individual's experience or suppress the human spirit, usability must: “Do No Evil.” - Google Motto
