Google alters definition of top ads within search results

Delhi: Google has modified its criteria for defining top ads within search results.

In a public announcement on X (formerly Twitter), Ginny Marvin, the Google Ads Liaison, revealed, “To better reflect how ads can appear in Google Search today, we’ve updated the definition of top ads.”

An FYI: To better reflect how ads can appear in Google Search today, we’ve updated the definition of top ads.

Note that this is a definitional change (as ads can appear above the organic result or below for certain queries) and doesn’t affect how performance metrics are…

— AdsLiaison (@adsliaison) March 27, 2024

This revision primarily entails a definitional adjustment and does not alter the calculation of performance metrics.

The updated definition now states:

“Top ads are adjacent to the top organic search results. Top ads are generally above the top organic results, although top ads may show below the top organic results on certain queries. Placement of top ads is dynamic and may change based on the user’s search.”

Google reassures advertisers that this update will not affect the computation of performance metrics, ensuring no significant changes in the placement of search ads.

This refinement in the definition of top ads closely precedes Google's release of its annual Ads Safety Report. This report reflects an internal evaluation of Google's efforts to guarantee the safety and reliability of ads on its platforms.