Featured ads?

Small stars denoting featured ads

[johnnie]

Today for the first time I've spotted "featured ads" in a site's skyscraper adsense block. These ads are denoted with a small yellow star.

What's up with this? Anybody else seeing this and if so, how is CTR doing?

[zett]

Oh no, now the Adsense team is drawing undue attention to some of the ads (disguised as "featured ads"). This will probably lead to the inevitable - a lifetime ban from accessing any Google service (even from Internet Cafe's or when in disguise).

[johnnie]

I don't get it; isn't google breaking their own "thou shalt not attract undue attraction to an ad" policy? Curious.

Has anybody noticed significant jumps in CTR thanks to this?

[rustybrick]

Google confirmed with me that these ads are real and they are testing it. I guess a mod knows where to link to if they want to show this confirmation and pictures.

It is hypocritical, I agree - but should publishers complain if their CTR jumps due to Google placing images near our ads?

[johnnie]

I for one won't

[Seb7]

[searchengineland.com...]

[ken_b]

Well if they combine this with the ads that have photos CTR should really jump.

Coming soon... "Feature Photo Ads" ?