Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Microsoft Trials New ‘Ads Related To’ Labels in Bing Search
Microsoft is experimenting with a new ad label in Bing Search that reads “Ads related to” followed by the user’s search query. This approach aims to make sponsored results more transparent by clearly linking ads to the searched keywords. The change resembles Google’s strategy of highlighting related ads but uses distinct labeling. Early sightings and discussions have appeared on social media platforms, sparking interest among search marketers.
Optimixed’s Overview: Enhancing Ad Transparency with Bing’s New ‘Ads Related To’ Label Experiment
What Microsoft is Testing in Bing Ads
Microsoft is currently testing a new labeling format for Bing Search ads to better indicate the relevance of sponsored content. Instead of generic labels like “Ad” or “Sponsored,” Bing is adding a descriptive heading that explicitly states: “Ad related to: [search query]”. For example, if a user searches for “Cushions,” the ad label would read “Ad related to: Cushions.”
How This Differs From Existing Ad Labels
- Clearer Context: The label directly ties the ad to the user’s search terms, improving transparency.
- Comparison to Google: While Google uses related ad sections such as “Find related products and services,” Bing’s approach highlights the ads’ relevance upfront in the label itself.
- User Experience: This new format may help users better understand why certain ads appear, potentially increasing trust and engagement.
Community Response and Potential Impact
The new ad label was first spotted by SEO expert Sachin Patel on social media, generating discussions among search marketing professionals. While still in testing, this change could influence how advertisers craft their campaigns and how search engines present sponsored content, emphasizing transparency and user clarity.
