Strange Google SERP Layout: Anyone?

[Travis_Bailey]

I haven't been able to repeat this, but I just saw a strange Google SERP layout. The screenshot is attached below. Has anyone else seen something like this?

I kind of rubbed my eyes and wondered 'if it was kicking in'.

ca2JqaP

[Whebb]

Hello,

Not certain, but it looks like a mobile SERP. Looks identical to that on my phone. Maybe your browser just had a hiccup?

[KeriMorgret]

I'm seeing the location is mentioned as from your phone (down at the very bottom).

[Travis_Bailey]

It was really strange. This was definitely on a desktop with Chrome browser. I thought the Googles had lost their collective mind for a moment.

I checked my user agent emulation, and it was set to spoof Nexus. Apparently I left it on for doing some light/quick/possibly-not-the-best device testing. Though I had never saw results like that on a desktop, even with the accidental spoof.

One thing is for sure, a collective 10-12 hours of sleep up to this point is probably not helping.

Edit: I just realized I'm charging my phone over USB, but I don't sync it.

[KeriMorgret]

Did you leave tethering on by accident perhaps? I haven't seen that before when I've tethered, but you never know.

I do think we've at least determined that Google, for whatever reason, thinks you're mobile and that's why your SERP looks that way.

[Travis_Bailey]

I can't tether unless I pay my current cell provider more money. I'm hoping this was a glitch. I don't want The Googles to Mobile All The Things. I haven't been able to repeat it with user agent spoofing via dev console.

[altecdesign]

That is strange, looks like a mobile result for sure.  Best guess is you fooled google with a mobile emulator and they served a mobile results page too you.

the screenshot is also showing your location history, do you sync your chrome browser across your phone/table/desktop?  I do this and sometimes run into a situation where my phone will pull a recent search I did on my desktop computer.  Maybe your desktop chrome browser was pulling a recent search you did on your phone and displaying the mobile results..... regardless this looks to just be a random fluke.

[Travis_Bailey]

My response was pretty delayed on this one. No, I don't sync my phone with anything. Granted, I have my email accounts connected - but I'm too paranoid to sync it my machines. Anything with that many certificates, out of the box, isn't getting that kind of access.

It's been months and it hasn't happened again. The Googles just probably crossed my internet tubes for a second.