Google testing new AdWords format

Thins the line between ads & search results

[vibgyor79]

I think I just caught Google testing their new AdWords display format. I have taken a snapshot [geocities.com].

Surprisingly, when I log into Anonymizer and search for a keyword, the old AdWords format is being displayed. Looks like they are displaying the new format ads only to certain countries.

The new look AdWords looks a lot similar to the usual search results. The green background for the ads are gone.

[Chndru]

This looks a lot cleaner and fat-free :)

[martinibuster]

They are displayed like natural serps, with a title, description, and url but displayed to the right. Hmm... I'm not sure if I like it or not.

[Shak]

nice find :)

sooner the better I say...

Shak

[dougb]

Hmmm...although it does seem "cleaner" in some sense, I think it makes the page much harder to read, at least for me. I have trouble scanning the lines of the main search results because the ads keep drawing me away. Somehow when the ads are imprisoned in little shaded boxes I don't have this problem, but I can still look at them when I choose to.

It's jarring. It's like when you see two adjacent columns of newsprint that are slightly misaligned with respect to each other. Graphic designers probably have a good word for this...

[2_much]

It's great for advertisers, not so good for surfers, worst for SEO's. Another blow for organic traffic.

[mcavic]

Oh boo - I agree with dougb - I think the old style is much better. More narrow, and with an off-colored background, is perfectly noticeable but non-obtrusive.