Top Position Ad Background colour changes to Grey

[BlazenWeb]

Not sure if it's just me, or if others have reported it, but I'm sure that during the recent Google layout changes the background colour of the ads in the top positions was still pale yellow. I'm now seeing a grey background. Looks like it might be being tested, because it's now gone back to pale yellow having been grey for a time.

You might remember in 2007 when Google changed the background colour from pale blue to yellow [adwords.blogspot.com] in order to:

to improve the experience of our users and advertisers

For me the grey is a bit dull and makes the ads stand out much more, but only Google's stats will tell them whether it's a better alternative for advertisers, Google...and its users.

[M_Bison]

I'm seeing blue for the background - like the old colour, but perhaps a little darker?

[gouri]

I generally see the sponsored links at the top of the SERPS having a light pink background.

I just saw it with a light blue background.

[foolsgold]

I am getting a light pink background (top three only)and no am not colour blind rustybrick ;)

[BlazenWeb]

I haven't seen my colour change for a while, maybe if when you see a different colour you post its hex equivalent using a browser colour picker.

[rustybrick]

Yup, you are not. Saw screenshots of pink. Have not seen gray screenshots yet.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

Once in a thread like pretty much like this one I responded and guessed that folks were probably seeing a test, since Google tends to test stuff a lot.

Shortly thereafter I noticed a blog post saying something along the lines of "Google confirms that..." and linking to the thread with my post, here in the forum, to document that confirmation.

Since then, I've pretty much stopped guessing at what might be going on. ;)

Except that in this case, I'll say that (in spite of many tries) I have yet to any color other than the usual color that I always see, which is really hard for me to even name, since I am color-blind.

AWA

[BlazenWeb]

Yes, I'm not seeing it anymore but managed to get a screenshot before. We've had pink, grey, light blue, which could potentially all be mistaken for the same colour. The one I saw was a greyish pink #f0e6ff, very close to grey with a tinge of pink.

[rustybrick]

AWA, what are you trying to say? ;-)

[davidkbsd]

Hi!

i confirm i see differences on Google.com vs. Google.fr on Chrome.

This color change would be quite a move... i'll leave you guys appreciate it ;)

New Color on Google.fr [kbsd.ch...]
Original Color on Google.com [kbsd.ch...]

david

[Azimuth]

I'm still seeing the standard pale yellow from here in Australia.

[BlazenWeb]

Also seeing the new colour back again on .co.uk

[rustybrick]

So you know, it is official now. Technically "pale purple."

[BlazenWeb]

Yes I see it now, "pale purple"! I need to either get my monitor calibrated, or my eyes!

[netmeg]

That's purple? Totally pink to me.

I begin to see why they changed it to a color that would stand out more.

[after_hours]

I'm seeing purple. I think it's an improvement. Makes the top spot pop.

[AffineMesh]

It's a good job they don't make the background WHITE, otherwise we won't be able to tell which links are sponsored.

Oh, wait a moment... they just have :-(