Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Testing Traditional Search Ads in Mobile Image Search Carousel
Google is experimenting with displaying traditional search ads in a horizontal carousel at the top of mobile image search results. This new ad format occupies significant screen space and allows users to scroll ads sideways. Previously, only shopping ads appeared in image search since 2016. The test has drawn mixed reactions from industry observers concerned about ad saturation in search.
Optimixed’s Overview: Google’s New Approach to Ads in Mobile Image Search
Introduction to Google’s Ad Carousel in Image Search
Google is currently testing a novel way of integrating traditional search ads directly into the image search results on mobile devices. Unlike previous ad formats limited to shopping ads, this experiment features a scrollable carousel of ads positioned at the top of the image search page.
Details and Industry Reaction
- The ad carousel occupies prominent screen real estate, making ads more visible and interactive through sideways scrolling.
- This marks the first time standard search ads are being shown in the image tab, expanding Google’s ad placements beyond its earlier shopping ads introduced in 2016.
- While the test is not yet widely replicable, it was initially spotted and shared by industry watcher Anthony Higman on social media.
- Some SEO and digital marketing experts have expressed concerns about increased ad saturation, suggesting this could impact user experience negatively.
Implications for Marketers and Users
If fully rolled out, this new ad format could offer marketers additional avenues to reach audiences via image search on mobile. However, users might encounter a denser ad environment, requiring careful balance to maintain search quality and usability.
