Google is rolling out an important change that could drastically alter the way users see advertisements. The new "Sponsored results" label is now appearing globally on both desktop and mobile devices.
What Google is changing exactly
The search engine groups text and Shopping ads under a single clear "Sponsored results" label. This larger label remains visible while scrolling, allowing users to better distinguish which results are paid. The most notable addition is a "Hide sponsored results" feature that enables users to dismiss ad groups with a single click.
The update is not limited to text ads. Shopping ads and other ad formats will receive the same label. Google will, however, maintain a maximum of four text ads per group and retain the current ad size.
Consequences for companies and advertisers
This change can have an immediate impact on the visibility of advertisements and click-through rates. Companies advertising through Google Ads must consider users who consciously choose to hide sponsored content. This means that only users who are genuinely interested in advertisements will see them.
The increased transparency may lead to higher quality clicks, but potentially lower overall click volumes. Advertisers will be dealing with a more selective audience that is more mindful of sponsored content.
Adjustments for Advertisers
Companies must now more than ever focus on the relevance and creative quality of their advertisements. With users actively choosing to see ads, attracting genuine interest becomes even more crucial. Ad copy must provide immediate value and align with search intent.
It is also advisable to evaluate advertising strategies and potentially invest more in organic search engine optimization as a complement to paid ads. This change is part of Google's broader strategy to maintain user trust while keeping advertisers visible. For companies, this means a shift towards quality over quantity in their advertising approach.