Google Search is rolling out an update, one that finally puts more control in the user’s hand.
The latest development, which is now making its way across desktop and mobile globally, aims to make navigating search results easier, and it does so by changing the way ads are shown on Search.
Google will now start sandwiching organic Search results between sponsored ads, albeit with prominent buttons to quickly collapse said sponsored sections.
According to the tech giant, all types of text ads on the search results page will now be grouped with a single “Sponsored results” label. Said results will be easier to spot, letting you easily distinguish between organic links and links that pay Google to secure a spot in the sponsored section. More importantly, hiding said results will now also be much simpler.
This new, larger label stays visible as people scroll, making it clear which results are sponsored — upholding our industry-leading standards for ad label prominence. We’re also adding a new “Hide sponsored results” control that allows you to collapse text ads with a single click if you want to focus only on organic results.
Maximum four ads per block
Credit: Google
Google’s blog post notes that the new design has been found to make navigating the top of the search results page much easier. It also noted that users will never see more than four text ads in one single sponsored results grouping, essentially preventing the page from being top-heavy for users.
Additionally, the tech giant added that the new sponsored label will also apply to “other ad units,” including Shopping ads, where they will be labeled as “Sponsored products.” Additionally, said sections will appear above or below AI Overviews, regardless of their presence, and on the very top and the very bottom of the Search results page. Users can expect to see the change across desktop and mobile starting today.
