Again in October we reported that Google has confirmed its search advertisements, Google Advertisements, can present up blended in the midst of the natural search outcomes. Now Google is updating its assist documentation to alter the definition of prime advertisements to say the advertisements might seem under the natural outcomes, finally not making the advertisements seem on the prime.
A Google spokesperson informed me, “We up to date our definition of prime advertisements in our Assist Middle to higher replicate how advertisements can seem in Google Search right now. It is a definitional change that doesn’t have an effect on how efficiency metrics are calculated.”
Google up to date the top ads help document to now say:
High advertisements are adjoining to the highest natural search outcomes. High advertisements are usually above the highest natural outcomes, though prime advertisements might present under the highest natural outcomes on sure queries. Placement of prime advertisements is dynamic and should change primarily based on the consumer’s search.
This help page now references prime advertisements and says:
When individuals search on Google, textual content advertisements can seem at completely different positions relative to natural search outcomes. High advertisements are adjoining to the highest natural search outcomes. High advertisements are usually above the highest natural outcomes, though prime advertisements might present under the highest natural search outcomes on sure queries. Placement of prime advertisements is dynamic and should change primarily based on the consumer’s search.
Beforehand it mentioned:
When individuals search on Google, textual content advertisements can seem above or under the search outcomes. Solely as much as 4 advertisements are eligible to point out above the search outcomes.
Ginny Marvin, Google’s Advertisements Liaison, posted about this on X including:
An FYI: To raised replicate how advertisements can seem in Google Search right now, we’ve up to date the definition of prime advertisements.
Notice that it is a definitional change (as advertisements can seem above the natural outcome or under for sure queries) and doesn’t have an effect on how efficiency metrics are calculated.
Google additionally informed me that as advertisements placement continues to evolve on search, Google mentioned it’s going to stay devoted to connecting advertisers with customers occupied with their services and products.
Right here is the screenshot from last October exhibiting Google search advertisements in the midst of the search outcomes web page, and never on the prime of the web page:
Right here is among the response:
Cannot look forward to these @GoogleAds prominence metrics coming 🙎♂️ pic.twitter.com/WTZ7acNHbQ
— Greg Finn (@gregfinn) March 27, 2024
Not notably liking that “dynamic” language on this change. Ideas?
— Anthony Higman (@AnthonyHigman) March 27, 2024
Some new definitions.#PPCChat pic.twitter.com/1orS3ybowR
— Lawrence Chasse (@lchasse) March 27, 2024
Advert Codecs: pic.twitter.com/ygpyjxUb3j
— Greg Finn (@gregfinn) March 27, 2024
What’s crazier is that the above reads as if PMax would not have an Advert Format and would subsequently have much less Prominence than that of an RSA/PLA
— Greg Finn (@gregfinn) March 27, 2024
To make clear, the prominence metrics aren’t new.
Admittedly, the advert format idea is complicated. On this context they check with issues like a telephone quantity which may be included in your advert. Extra right here: https://t.co/P8VCpeq5he.Advert codecs are also a part of what’s thought-about in Advert Rank:…
— AdsLiaison (@adsliaison) March 27, 2024
It implies that in some instances advertisements might present under natural outcomes. That is an ongoing evolution (instance: https://t.co/HVigoiRNeN) and one thing we’ll proceed to experiment with going ahead. We use current indicators and techniques to make selections on the place advertisements will present. And to be…
— AdsLiaison (@adsliaison) March 27, 2024
They’re nonetheless the highest advertisements within the outcomes. The definition replace simply clarifies that prime advertisements might present under the natural outcomes for sure queries. And to be clear, for many queries, advertisements will proceed to seem on the prime of search outcomes.
— AdsLiaison (@adsliaison) March 27, 2024
Thus the definition change. They’re referred to as “prime advertisements” as a result of they’re the highest search advertisements within the outcomes.
— AdsLiaison (@adsliaison) March 27, 2024
Discussion board dialogue at X.

