Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google’s New Ad Layout Causes Confusion and Accidental Clicks
Google’s updated ad design groups multiple ads under a single “Sponsored results” label with a “Hide sponsored results” button placed at the bottom, leading to increased accidental ad clicks. Industry experts and experienced SEOs report difficulty distinguishing ads from organic results, raising concerns that the change may be intentional to boost ad revenue. Users suggest improvements such as placing the hide button at the top and labeling each ad individually for clearer ad transparency.
Optimixed’s Overview: How Google’s Recent Ad Layout Shift Impacts User Experience and Click Behavior
Understanding the New Ad Grouping Format
Google recently introduced a new advertisement layout that consolidates multiple ads beneath a prominent “Sponsored results” label. Below this cluster, a “Hide sponsored results” button appears, but only after the ads have been displayed. This approach aims to streamline navigation but has inadvertently caused confusion among users.
Industry Feedback and Real-World Implications
- Experienced SEOs and marketers report accidentally clicking ads due to the indistinct separation between ads and organic listings.
- Even knowledgeable users struggle to identify whether certain results are paid or organic, especially when ads are not individually labeled.
- The placement of the “Hide sponsored results” button at the bottom rather than the top reduces its accessibility and potential to reduce ad impressions.
Concerns and Recommendations
Many in the SEO community believe this design change might be strategically intended to increase ad clicks, thereby generating more revenue for Google. To improve user experience and maintain trust, it is recommended that:
- The “Hide sponsored results” button be positioned prominently at the top of the ad block.
- Each sponsored result be clearly and individually labeled to distinguish ads from organic results.
- Greater transparency in ad presentation be prioritized to reduce accidental clicks and improve navigation clarity.
