Ad w/ logo in middle of SERP?

[rcjordan]

I don't know if it'll rotate out, but take a look at this page 2 SERP for 'Morrisville NC [altavista.com] which shows an ebay ad (complete w/ logo and marketing blurb for a title: Don't purchase Golf equipment until you've seen the selection at Ebay!) for golf equipment. It's in slot #4 on this page, in the regular section -not the 3 paid listings at the top. This is off the charts so far as lack of relevance is concerned. I guess AV will argue that someone from Morrisville does play golf.

[littleman]

http*//www.altavista.com/r?ck_sm=fcac4dfd&gid=127&ci=4697& ref=8000030070&r=http*//adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/712-500-1243-1?loc=http*//pages.ebay.com/promo/golf/

Interesting tracking string.

[bigjohnt]

I've got it at #14, and #45 < I set av to 100 results per page>
Looks like testing a listing/logo ad hypbrid. Why not test with the biggest. AV grasping at straws. Engage dumped by CMGI, AV next?

Tested another phrase
"north of boston massachusetts"
result #1 SERP- "No documents matched your query."
#2 SERP - on refresh "Too many documents matched your query"
#3 SERP Fairly relevant results, UNTIL Ebay ad/logo at #34.

Some engines are headed toward regional listings- which may be a good thing for regional advertisers, and good for users. Selling spots within those results?
There goes the relevance.... Call Mr. Nader <chuckle>

[rcjordan]

BTW, ebay is paying $4 per new sign-up in the affiliate networks. One of the new ebay ad campaigns (or at least I think it's new) I saw yesterday on CJ was specifically for golf. Coincidence?

>Call Mr. Nader
>
Exactly. There's absolutely no disclaimer in this method of ad loading.

[Brett_Tabke]

Where is the other thread on this from a few weeks ago? It's been discussed before. I can't find it at the moment.

[rcjordan]

I also thought I remembered a thread about a logo graphic in AV SERPs, wasn't it in the UK forum? I think a logo was seen in the regional AV a while ago.