I figure the create group option is located on the Group Search page because the devs want you to search for groups before creating another one. That, however, doesn't stop me from creating more clubhouses. In my opinion, the only way to reduce the rate of groups formed is to have group creation as an earned privilege.

While I am all for the creation of groups, there is a risk of "fragmentation", especially with the revised group numbers per user. I would suggest that the "create a group" link (anywhere it is placed) first take a member to a page that says something along the lines of ; [quote]There are already a large number of groups, each dedicated to a specific community and interest. Before you create a new group of your own, are you sure that you wouldn't like to use the search feature to look for an existing group that has identical interests and purpose to the one that you are about to create? If you can find an existing group that is "right up your alley" you can join that pre-built community and not have to either compete with it, or attempt to build your own membership of people who are already gathered together for that same common interest.[/quote] And have the search field there. If the member clicks on "it's okay, I want to create my own group even though there may already be a perfect match out there already" then they understand that they are starting at "square one".