Search giant Google has announced that it is testing a new directory-style service in China. 

Google Navigator is designed to provide easy access to common search topics for less-experienced users, according to information on Google China. 

Official statistics from the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) suggest that Google is some way behind local competitor Baidu in China's vast search market. 

Google receives 25 per cent of local search traffic, while Baidu gets 62 per cent, the CNNIC reported in a survey last year.

Baidu has offered its own directory service for several years, and Google Navigator appears to be very similar.

Like Baidu's service, Google Navigator is divided into three main areas, the top pane displaying a list of China's most popular websites.

According to the Google Navigator site, websites are chosen by an automated process based on their ranking by Google's search algorithm. The higher ranking websites appear closer to the top of the page.

The lower part of the page contains several colour-coded movable blocks, each of which holds a number of websites from popular categories like music, news and blogs.

On the left side, a sidebar holds a longer list of category headings, such as entertainment, sport, technology, books and food. Clicking on these opens a new page containing relevant links.

The service is currently in beta, although it is publicly accessible. Google has not said when it plans to put it into full operation. In Chinese, the site is referred to as Google DaoHang. 'Navigator' is one possible English translation of the second word.

Google plans to introduce similar services in other countries, according to information on Google China.