Smoothing out the edges

MySpace.com announces its global redesign initiative today. The update targets improved usability (easier navigation and profile editing, for example) and better integration of on-site advertising.

Ad space will be larger on the redesigned site. Banner ads will also flow more harmoniously with MySpace's appearance.

Download mock-ups of the MySpace redesign, or view some at Adrants.

Search and the MySpaceTV player will also be upgraded. The company plans to improve embedding and recommendation capabilities on the video service.

Phase I of the redesign rolls out Wednesday, June 18th. One advertiser will take the site over, resulting in high exposure to the brand while promoting MySpace's ad-friendly updates.

This is purportedly the largest attempted relaunch for a site of MySpace's size. Unique users totaled 58.8 million in April alone.

The social network took flak this week from 'net-ebrity HappySlip. According to the video blogger, MySpace permitted Google AdSense to serve exploitative ads on her profile page.

HappySlip canceled her account after contacting MySpace and receiving no corrective action. The page connected her to 34,000 friends and fans.