G oogle tests branded banner ad search queries
Searching the Internet was not always a byword with “Google.” In the late ’90s there were a litany of different search engines all vying for the throne. However, now that Google is the indisputable King of Search (sorry, Bing), people generally expect to get what they’re searching for on Google, and fast – they don’t expect pervasive ads. And that’s why Google caused a bit of a kerfuffle recently when they were found to be testing enormous branded banner ads. Folks, meet your new search results:
Almost the entire area above the fold? That’s an example of a branded banner ad. The actual search results don’t start until almost 80% down the page. Part of the controversy comes from the fact that Google itself was quoted in 2005 as saying, “There will be no banner ads on the Google homepage or web search results pages. There will not be crazy, flashy, graphical doodads flying and popping up all over the Google site. Ever.”
Now, Google has stressed that this is only a test case for about 30 major ad partners right now – it’s not necessarily going to happen be applied to all of Google’s search results, or even at all. That said, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
What do you think? Red flags, or a non-issue? Let us know on Facebook!
Gary works from his apartment in Portland as Zbra Studios’ Senior SEO Strategist (mostly in pajamas, with a cat or two nibbling at his leg). Those in web3 may known him as weary (or vvveary, give or take a “v”), where he works in the moonlight hours on the core team of the MetaArchitects HUB.
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