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Google Blurring Distinction Between Ads and Organic Search Results

Posted by Soulskill on from the you-will-be-notified-which-results-are-ads-in-6-months dept.

jfruh writes "For years, paid links returned from Google search queries have been set off from 'real' search results by their placement on the page and by a colored background. But some users have begun to see a different format for these ads: a tiny yellow button that reads 'AD' at the end of the link is the only distinguishing feature. Google is notoriously close-mouthed about this sort of thing, but it may begin rolling the new format out to more users soon."

3 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Slippery slope by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm one of the users seeing this. The ads are still obvious to me - I assumed that they did it to make the site more mobile-friendly, but it could be a downward slide down your slope.

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  2. "Organic" by FuzzNugget · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That's as bullshitty a term as it is in your supermarket. There *are* no "organic" results when they're calculated based on your tracking history, ad clicks and social connections.

    Friends don't let friends get tracked. Use the quack that doesn't track!

  3. Sponsored Links are now MORE obvious by mrbene · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm in the test group.

    It may be my eyes, the angle at which I use my screen, the brightness and contrast I prefer, or something else, but the background color has always been almost undetectable to me.

    The new configuration, a simple yet obvious graphical element indicating "Ad" indenting the sponsored links, highlights them much more effectively for me.

    +1 for this change.