Google is in the position to have done exactly this kind of analysis, and apparently the majority likes this crap. I'm glad I am not alone in hating it though.
Google, and to a certain extent Facebook, LinkedIn, and all other large web companies are in positions to make data driven design decision, and every time it's done I hear lots of complaining. I'm wondering how great data driven design really is.
On the flip side, how often do you hear that Apple's software design is driven by data analysis, and how often do you hear complaints about their designs?
I hate Apple design, but I just don't use their products. All Apple products have a good alternative...not necessarily true for Google, Facebook, Linkedin, etc.
