Comments on: Google Testing Different Colour Backgrounds For Adwords Ads http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/ A cynical look at Pay Per Click (PPC) Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:10:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Marsha http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/comment-page-1/#comment-216851 Marsha Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:33:00 +0000 http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/?p=558#comment-216851 Obfuscating sponsored results might be good for Google revenue now, but it is not good for advertisers. Unlike pure spam, advertisers are paying a substantial fee for those click throughs. When Google fails to distiguish between paid adwords based results at the top of their SERP, the CTR may increase but conversion is going to go down, hence the cost per sale is going to go up and rational actors will bid less for those adwords. Using a pastel (invisible) background color to camoflauge ads may even be bad for Google in the intermediate run if users switch to another engine out of annoyance. Obfuscating sponsored results might be good for Google revenue now, but it is not good for advertisers. Unlike pure spam, advertisers are paying a substantial fee for those click throughs. When Google fails to distiguish between paid adwords based results at the top of their SERP, the CTR may increase but conversion is going to go down, hence the cost per sale is going to go up and rational actors will bid less for those adwords.

Using a pastel (invisible) background color to camoflauge ads may even be bad for Google in the intermediate run if users switch to another engine out of annoyance.

]]> By: Garry Przyklenk http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/comment-page-1/#comment-207473 Garry Przyklenk Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:37:18 +0000 http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/?p=558#comment-207473 Noticed that they're using the off-white background here in Canada, and it seems to be uniform across several of my computers on different networks. Assumed it was a poorly calibrated monitor at work and at a few other places. Good eye! Definitely a surefire way to increase CTR for top 1-3 advertisers. Noticed that they’re using the off-white background here in Canada, and it seems to be uniform across several of my computers on different networks. Assumed it was a poorly calibrated monitor at work and at a few other places.

Good eye! Definitely a surefire way to increase CTR for top 1-3 advertisers.

]]> By: Paul Gailey http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/comment-page-1/#comment-207463 Paul Gailey Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:48:03 +0000 http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/?p=558#comment-207463 I noticed today the background had reverted to #FBF0FA (almost imperctible to white) and `Sponsored links` was now just 'Ads' the distinction in the serps now is barely noticeable. i figure PPC CTR must be falling and it's a smart way for Google to defend their revenues. what i would really like to know is if i am merely in an infamous testing adwords 'bucket' or of this change was quietly rolled out pre xmas under the radar. I noticed today the background had reverted to #FBF0FA (almost imperctible to white) and `Sponsored links` was now just ‘Ads’

the distinction in the serps now is barely noticeable. i figure PPC CTR must be falling and it’s a smart way for Google to defend their revenues.

what i would really like to know is if i am merely in an infamous testing adwords ‘bucket’ or of this change was quietly rolled out pre xmas under the radar.

]]> By: Lilsquirrel http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/comment-page-1/#comment-194271 Lilsquirrel Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:01:06 +0000 http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/?p=558#comment-194271 I've seen purple today I’ve seen purple today

]]> By: Carol http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/comment-page-1/#comment-194112 Carol Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:07:15 +0000 http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/?p=558#comment-194112 Thank you very much for yet another first-rate article. I am always searching for original adword tips to suggest to my readers. Thanks for creating this article. It's exactly what I was searching for. Truly great post. Thank you very much for yet another first-rate article. I am always searching for original adword tips to suggest to my readers. Thanks for creating this article. It’s exactly what I was searching for. Truly great post.

]]> By: Online Marketing Blog http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/google-adwords/google-testing-different-colour-backgrounds-for-ppc-ads/comment-page-1/#comment-191845 Online Marketing Blog Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:48:31 +0000 http://www.ppcblog.co.uk/?p=558#comment-191845 I prefer the new darker shades as they allow for easier distinction of organic and paid search results. I prefer the new darker shades as they allow for easier distinction of organic and paid search results.

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