MySpace Previews Cleaner New Home Page Layout

MySpace is revamping their homepage, starting with an optional preview today to see how their users respond. The new look comes with two column streams displaying an activity stream and a content discovery area that gives a much cleaner look desperately needed by MySpace. The homepage will be formally launched on August 19th and marks the first of many UX changes to come.

Read more after the jump.

MySpace users can preview this new look by an opt-in that prompts them upon logging in. The new features include:

1. A wider activity stream – spanning 2 columns is the activity stream, kind of like Facebook’s, showcasing shared content and status updates from a user’s friends. The idea is to feature great content and expose it right away thus increasing engagement.

2. My Stuff and Recommendations – This section helps you discover games, people and events based on specific interests. There’s also a ‘my stuff’ module that gives you access to photos, videos, music and more.

3. Alerts system and address book importer – the alerts are more prominently displayed on the home page to allow users to interact and the address book importer helps friends connect more easily.

These changes are smart moves for MySpace and long over due. We must be cognizant of the fact that MySpace is becoming a niche media site but it has a significant amount of users that it has to be careful not to alienate as it prepares for the future of social networking.

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