The idea would probably be to stand out but for some of us, our brains are so hardwired on colors that it gets very easy to miss it. Red is usually representing stop, error, critical etc. We have semaphores using red, error icons using red, traffic signs are using red to signal a potential danger.
However, in Google groups and calendar I had real issues finding those actions that were placed on red button. I was simply not seeing the red buttons, because I was not looking for something dangerous. For instance I spent few good seconds looking on how to post a reply in Google group because that reply button was on a red background.
And I've noticed the same behavior to other people as well, searching for quite some time for those actions that are placed on red background. Same thing for New Topic
. It just doesn't feel natural to click a big red button whenever I want to post a reply.
Until I've read this topic I had no idea the loading message appears there; for some reasons I just skip the red parts unless I look for an error, delete or some other kind of dangerous action. So in the end, at least for me, red is totally defying the purpose.
And I won't even start with the placement in page of some of their actions...
Usually I enjoy Google products especially since most of them are user friendly, but the Google Groups and some parts of the Google Calendar are really User Grumpy
with a get-off-my-lawn attitude that makes me never wanting to use that again.