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I've only ever seen sponsored listings at the site before. I was under the impression that Google didn't do this sort of thing. Is this a new phenomenon?
I'm not in favor, myself.
I tend to disagree with your post.
would you care to share how many different searches/sites/industries you did this search on?
could it be that advertisers clever enough to buy sponsored listings, may in fact know a thing or 2 about SEO.
I REFUSE to believe Google would even think of this, trust me on this.
I have spoken at length to sales, and they do NOT have any control whatsoever on standard SERPS.
Shak
I saw up to two sponsored results at the top of the page -- half.com and ebay. They are on a slightly tinted background which I couldn't see at first because of the angle of my monitor. At the extreme left of the page within the tinted area it says "Sponsored links".
This sucks! I agree it's completely out of character. Hopefully it's a short-lived experiment.
These are called Premium listings, and have been around a LOT longer than the "new" adwords system.
They have NO influence on standard serps, and are marked quite clearly as "Sponsored Link"
I thought you had been trying to say Google were giving prefernce to paying advertisers :)
Shak
I don't think I communicated what I meant to. The paid listings were above the genuine results (I think I said "at the top of", which is ambiguous). Perhaps it's just that I don't do commercial searches very often, but I've never seen this before. Is it new? I'm disappointed to have to scroll down to get the genuine results.
These are called Premium listings, and have been around a LOT longer than the "new" adwords system.
Sheesh! Next thing you know they'll have adverts on television.
way better than un-targeted banners flying around, for both the advertiser and end user (and I am both)
Good returns from an advertisers point of view.
I suppose you could always pay them a monthly fee for using "The Best Search Engine in the World", and then NOT have to see any ads.
Money makes the world go round.
Shak
Now that you mention it, if the serps were like TV (at least in the USA) 1 of every 3 results would be paid for.
Of course with the Sponsored links and the adwords ads on some serps maybe there isn't much difference. Maybe TV needs to catch up with some serps!
Money makes the world go round.
I tell you, it's the last time I go surfing without my rose-tinted glasses on.
