Google Browser Size is a visualization of browser window sizes for people who visit Google. For example, the “90%” contour means that 90% of people visiting Google have their browser window open to at least this size or larger. This is useful for ensuring that important parts of a page’s user interface are visible by a wide audience. On the example page that you see when you first visit this site, there is a “donate now” button which falls within the 80% contour, meaning that 20% of users cannot see this button when they first visit the page. 20% is a significant number; knowing this fact would encourage the designer to move the button much higher in the page so it can be seen without scrolling.”
Google Browser Size is an excellent resource. I will come back often. Now, Google, let’s make it look nicer!
(thank you john!)
it’s an ok resource. It doesn’t take into account centered pages. so I’d have to put in my url and then resize my browser to get a real sense of what people would see.
also, it’s taking another website’s visitor patterns and applying it to yours. I think there is some value in that but not a whole lot.
Dec 17th, 2009 / 12:09 pm
you can also simply enter “javascript:window.resizeTo(1020,740)” (without the quotes) in your address field to get a feel of what people with a 2024×768 screen see..
you can even make a bookmarkt with that as an url and whenever you click it your window will resize!
Dec 17th, 2009 / 12:29 pm
As you can imagine, we here at Methodologie were a bit taken aback. Not that we can compete with the data Google is able to pull in about browser window size, but if you’re looking for a tool that looks MUCH nicer and does generally the same thing via a Firefox plug-in, see this previous Swiss-Miss post:
http://www.swiss-miss.com/2009/08/web-canvas.html
Dec 17th, 2009 / 3:07 pm
flawed, but nice nonetheless
Dec 17th, 2009 / 3:16 pm
interesting. it’s certainly something to consider.
Dec 18th, 2009 / 9:06 am
I agree, the Methodologie tool is much cleaner and more useful. This Google thing is visually clumsy and a rip-off.
Dec 19th, 2009 / 11:20 am
methodologie’s website is sexier, but i like that the google page allows you to type in your URL view your blog or website behind their super ugly layout.
Dec 20th, 2009 / 11:04 pm
@Kat — you can download the Methodologie WebCanvas Firefox plugin, and then turn it on/off on any site you wish, by the click of a button. No need to go to a special site and type in a URL.
Dec 20th, 2009 / 11:09 pm
Both, the Google and the Methodologie tools come in handy, thanks for posting. What would also be a very nice info is to see changes over time. I’m just about to consider switching to 1100+ widths for my pages, in the hope that larger screens and my image-affine audience may be happy with it.
Dec 21st, 2009 / 5:34 pm