How to Decorate Google

Customize your search engine experience by adding a personal photo to Google.

The standard Google search engine page features the Google logo, or special occasional variations of that logo, on a white background. As of June 2010, however, Google users have been able to customize their Google search page by uploading a personal photo or choosing a photo from the image albums provided at the site. User-uploaded photos can be in JPG, GIF, or PNG format and users can change the photo on the Google page at any time with a few simple clicks.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Change background image" link, located at the bottom left-hand corner of the Google home page.

2. Click on the location of the photo you would like to upload. The selection defaults to Google's public gallery of images. If you wish to use one of these pictures, scroll through the gallery by using the bar on the right of the gallery window. Click on the image you want and then the "Select" button at the bottom right-hand corner of the gallery. You will be taken back to the Google home page, and the gallery photo you've chosen will appear as the background.

3. Click on the "From your computer" link if you wish to use one of your own photos. Click the "Browse" button to search your computer files. Find the photo on your computer, and click "Open" then click "Upload." You will be taken back to the Google home page and your photo will load as the page's background.

Tips & Warnings

• Users can also create an "iGoogle" homepage on their computers which allows users to customize backgrounds and use tools such as a calendar and news feed.

References

• The Tech Journal; New Google Background Lets You Decorate Your Google Homepage Like Bing; Nawal Mahmood; June 10, 2010
• The Official Google Blog; Freeze Frame!; Marissa Mayer; June 2, 2010