Google changes how it defines ‘top ads’
New updates from Google are in and this one comes as ad placement continues to evolve on Search.
Google updated their definitions related to top ads - what are top ads you ask?
Top ads are ads that appear above the organic result, and also below organic results for certain queries.
In a public service announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liaison, stated:
“To better reflect how ads can appear in Google Search today, we’ve updated the definition of top ads.”
* Note: Click image above for full statement
This update comes after testing ads between search results back in October. Patrick Stox, Ahrefs product advisor, technical SEO, and brand ambassador, noticed sponsored posts were appearing where the third and fifth organic positions normally run.
We find this update important because it could indicate that Google is progressing with its idea to insert ads between organic search results. This change could potentially result in more clicks for advertisers in areas of Google Search that have traditionally been reserved for organic content.
Complete list of changes to Search ads metric definitions:
In Conclusion
This update is essential for advertisers and marketers who rely on Google Ads to reach their target audience. Understanding the placement of ads on the search results page can help advertisers optimize their campaigns and improve their click-through rates (CTR).
By knowing the difference between top and absolute top metrics, we can make informed decisions about bidding strategies and ad placement goals.
As advertisers, we can use these metrics to set your bids to increase the percentage of your ads that either show anywhere among top ads or at the first position among top ads.
By monitoring your Search top impression share and Search absolute top impression share, we can identify opportunities to improve your ad placement and drive more traffic to your website.
