Similar to Google's First Screen
Naver, Korea's largest portal company, has decided to leave only a search window on the first screen of its mobile services.
Naver unveiled its mobile screen reform plan during the “Connect & Discover” event held at the Grand Intercontinental Hotel in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of Oct. 10.
According to the reform plan, the first screen of Naver’s mobile services only has the "Green Window," which is the search window. It is similar to Google's first screen and Naver’s previously attempted “SE Search.”
The news content that currently appears on Naver's first mobile screen, including five articles and two pictures, have been shifted to the "News Board," which can be viewed only after turning the entire screen to the right. This space features articles that have been arranged directly by each media outlet and personalized AI-recommended news.
The list of the most searched keywords in real time has also been transferred to the “Search Chart Board” on the right screen. As such, the right screen with text-oriented content is called "Eastland."
"Our job is to provide new opportunities and values by linking various ideas and interests," said Han Sung-sook, president of the portal company. “We sought to solve the problem of only seven news articles and 20 most searched keywords grabbing the eyes of 30 million people everyday."
If you turn the screen to the left on the first screen, you will see the "West Lab" that contains new services such as shopping.
An interactive search button called “Green Dot” appears on every screen. The Green Dot provides related search results based on information regarding users, including the types of information they are currently viewing and the languages they use.
For example, if you press the Green Dot while reading news articles, it recommends related news. If a user presses the dot while shopping, it displays related products.
"It is very difficult for an Internet service with 30 million daily users to start changes that require them to change their habits," said Han. “We hope that the Green Window and Eastland make users feel familiar with our services. We have tried to give users new experiences through the Green Dot and West Lab.”