Comments on: Google seems to be testing a new ad format on desktop http://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/ Search Engine Optimisation Ireland Sat, 28 Mar 2015 19:06:42 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.1 By: Keith Bohannahttp://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/#comment-1022488 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 15:53:02 +0000 http://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/#comment-1022488 Just saw on of those on the iPad. That pill does blend in when scanning all right

]]> By: Richard Hearnehttp://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/#comment-1022336 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 02:56:46 +0000 http://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/#comment-1022336 FWIW the image I posted has the highest contrast on the link text.  I'm far more likely to mistake the first link for organic than notice the light yellow pill with low-contrast white text saying "Ad". All IMHO of course.

If they really wanted to differentiate they'd left-align the yellow pill with the ad link, and indent the ad link by a corresponding distance.

]]> By: Josh Gateshttp://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/#comment-1022317 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 02:10:31 +0000 http://www.redcardinal.ie/general/07-11-2013/google-seems-to-be-testing-a-new-ad-format-on-desktop/#comment-1022317 I'm seeing on desktop today too but I'm not as certain it is good for Google. At least the one I was served was bright yellow and I would argue more likely to cause ad blindness, thus driving the click below to organic.

Also noteworthy is the 'Ad' label next to each ad in top position but not in sidebar. This may have unintended effect of raising CTR on sidebar placements. Maybe that is G's hidden agenda :)

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