Seeing 4 adword boxes on the top of SERP

is this the future?

[jimsthoughts]

Was checking stat logs and came accross this:
[google.com...]

it shows 4 google adword boxes on the top...

Each time I hit refresh on the link I get a new message on the top...
"Advertise instantly. With a credit card, your ad goes on Google today"

"Try Google on Your Site!"

"Put Google, the award-winning search engine, on your website."

"Use the Google Directory To Search by Topic"

"Add Google to your Internet Explorer Browser"

Is this the future, or custom search?

[edited by: WebGuerrilla at 10:37 pm (utc) on July 1, 2003]

[jimsthoughts]

Top edit isn't quite right....

The link I posted showed 4 google adword boxes on the top... where the 2 Premium links usually are.

Few hours later it changed....but luckly I got a screenshot.

Is this the future, or custom search?

[edited by: WebGuerrilla at 4:56 am (utc) on July 3, 2003]
[edit reason] Read my previous edit [/edit]

[rfgdxm1]

VERY interesting. In case that URL gets nicked by the mods, it is exactly as he says. Just imagine 4 horizontally aligned Adword boxes on top of the SERP. I must admit I find this a LOT more honest than those sneaky and highly deceptive sponsored links at the top of the page that look just like ordinary SERPs with a little shading. With these in boxes at the top, this won't deceive like those sponsored listings do. This stands out as different.

[GrinninGordon]

Hmmmm

Perfect, is this;

"We are going to continually scramble the real search results, BUT there are now sponsored links at the top of the page that show continuity"

?

[rfgdxm1]

With Google, the webmaster gets what he pays for GrinninGordon. ;)

[skipfactor]

With these in boxes at the top, this won't deceive like those sponsored listings do. This stands out as different.

At first I was miffed but you're right. If I'm paying for AdWords, I want to stand out. If I'm a typical Google searcher, I want them to stand out as well.

Is this the future?

I'd bet it is. That layout more closely resembles AdSense. WW doesn't miss much. :)

[GrinninGordon]

skipfactor

"If I'm a typical Google searcher, I want them to stand out as well."

Why? My experience as a surfer with Adwords is that the sites are normally less relevant, or the same same.

[skipfactor]

My experience as a surfer with Adwords is that the sites are normally less relevant, or the same same.

That's exactly why I at least, from a searching perspective, want to be told they're different. Personally, I place them on ignore unless I'm desperate.

MSN & others method of making sponsored listings almost identical ought to be illegal.

[rfgdxm1]

Exactly right skipfactor. The problem with the sponsored listings is that Google tries to trick people they are normal SERPs rather than paid ads. I realize Google has to pay the bills and carry ads. All I ask is they be not look like normal SERPs.

[jimsthoughts]

It's back :) (at least for me right now)
Do searches from here, and see the adwords on the top for many searches...like "mortgage" and "loans".

[google.com...]

I think this idea is great... if this is what Google is thinking of changing to.

[martinibuster]

I believe you- but it's not working for me. There's a saying that goes: "I like change- especially when it's a change back to the way it originally was." :)

[FleurDeLis]

Hey, don't leave this out: "We're going to continually shuffle pages from your site in the SERP's... we'll show the Contact Us page one minute, and then another subpage from your site the next... but not the index page... but hey! When you click on an AdWords ad, you'll go right to the index page! So all you SEO people, talk your clients into buying AdWords ads!"

What Google is doing here is so obvious, a child could see it.

Hurry up, Yahoo!, bring on those Ink results...

[Chndru]

4 visually seperated adwords @ the top of SERPS is pretty good..me likes it!

[TravelSite]

I agree that this is better in the sense that it makes it obvious that the top parts are adverts - but I dont think it looks as nice!

Would Google want to remove two adverts that (some) users think are normal results? I think yes. First reason: Google doubles the number of ads on the same space. Second reason: In their current format adwords do very well - but they may not do quite as well when converted into a banner-type ad (different size, colouring and positioning).

Very well noticed!