A recent change to Google's desktop search results may be much more than just a fresh aesthetic. 

According to new research, Google's latest method of flagging ads in search results may be further blurring the line between organic and paid placements, and having a measurable effect on the likelihood that users will click-through promoted results.

Google's changes, which were rolled out last week, label advertisements using an icon called a 'Favicon' located to the left of a result to indicate that it's promoted.

While the icon, which is two bold black letters that spell out 'Ad', clearly signifies where the result comes from, many have pointed out that with the addition of icons next to every single search result, the promoted results end up visually blending with the rest of the results.  






‹ Slide me ›

On the left is an example of what Google's current search results look like. An 'Ad' favicon can be seen next to results that have been promoted. On the right is an older design with a clearer delineation of what is an ad and what isn't

As noted by a report from Digiday, market research following the change has provided initial evidence that the homogenization between ads and non-ad results is already starting to convince more users to click-through advertisements.

Digital marketing agency NordicClick says that compared to the week prior to the change, four businesses studied - a health care company, two business-to-business platforms and one e-commerce company - saw their click-through rates rise from between 4 to 10.5 percent a week after the changed.

The same change to Google's mobile search results in May had an even more pronounced effect on click-through according to NordicClick, causing rates of two companies to go up between 17 to 18 percent within a similar time frame after the change. 




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It's worth noting, however, that other advertising agencies cited by Digiday did not see a noted bump in click-through rates, so the effect may not be the same for every busiess across the board.

Google's change plays on a concept known as 'banner-blindness' notes Digiday, in which users often ignore banner-like information either consciously or unconsciously.

'... Searchers will see the favicons and overlook them, also ignoring the ‘Ad' favicon as well,' SEO consultant Bill Hartzer told Digiday.

'So, they're going to be more likely to click more on ads, which will benefit advertisers. But, in the long run, it will also benefit Google.'




Google rolled out a similar change on its mobile search engine in May. Some research suggests that at the time, the move bolstered some ad engagement (Stock image)

In a Twitter thread by Guardian journalist Alex ghtly tricky time as it battles anti-trust allegations related to its behemoth role in the online ad world.

Last year Google was fined $1.7 billion by the European Union for 'abusive practices in online advertising.'

Likewise, in November last year, Google became the subject of a lawsuit by advertising company, Inform, which claims that that same anti-competitive behavior undermined the ad agency's business between 2014 and 2016.






 


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