Most people who have added Google gadgets to their iGoogle page did so through the Google gadget directory which is located here with a new look and some new functionality. This “face” of the directory allows users to add gadgets to their iGoogle page. Lets look at the new changes. My next post will explain the syndication directory, which is different but for now lets stick with the iGoogle gadget directory.

Layout:

The layout has completely changed, it integrates better with other Google products in look and feel (top left menu).

The search field has moved from the top center to the right hand side. There are some new reporting features as well, which is great news for developers wanting to know how many people are using their gadgets…

There is a new and much lower threshold for reportable gadget users (the amount of people using the gadget). If your gadget has more than 100 users, you will get an actual number listed (updated every few days). For those you not familiar with what I am talking about, it used to be that you had to wait until 1000 people used your gadget before getting such numbers. An example of this can be seen below using my newer virtual pet gadgets.

These three gadgets (the top three results are mine, nice) all have less than 1000 users, yet now in the new directory I get my actual numbers reported (name, users, amount of comments, and star rating)… but they are no longer showing the “pageview” numbers. Big change.

The directory is only showing 7 gadgets per page now. It used to show 25 per page.

It also lists the name of the developer, and links to other gadgets that developer has created. In the above example I use the name Gadzi, which is a Google gadget directory that I am making.