December 16, 2008 7:53 AM PST

Google Suggest gets search ad test

by Stephen Shankland
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 4 comments

Google has begun testing ads that accompany the suggestions that appear when people begin typing in a search query.

Google Suggest is a feature that provides a drop-down listing possible search terms; I find it handy for completing long queries with the down arrow and the Enter key. With some people, though, Google is testing a green search ad at the top of the list, Danny Sullivan of Search Engine Land reported.

The text ads that appear above or to the right of search results happen to be Google's massive profit engine, but the company also said its tests show they improve people's search experience overall. It's not clear whether that will prove to be the case for search ads that appear in Google Suggest, but Google has been adding all sorts of ways to make more money from its site.

I use Google's search page less and less now that I've begun using Chrome, whose address bar leads directly is a Google search box. Has anyone seen search ads showing in Chrome's search results suggestion drop-down?

Originally posted at Digital Media
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank.
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by redwall_hp December 16, 2008 8:06 AM PST
I have't seen these ads at all yet (or any Chrome ads, since I'm a Firefox/Mac user mainly). I'd to see the google.com suggest ads though, since I'm curious as to what they look like.

Now, while Google's playing with their suggest feature, maybe they should put it on the SERPs too. It seems silly that the suggest feature works on the main page but not on the SERPs.
Reply to this comment
by cipals15 December 16, 2008 9:01 AM PST
Will this be an advantage for advertisers? And any start-ups who couldn't afford advertising has a lesser chance of being shown. Correct me if i made a wrong perception.

<a href="http://www.resourcesandmoney.blogspot.com">Money Making and Blogging Tips Website</a>
Reply to this comment
by jackdaniels08 December 16, 2008 11:23 PM PST
Brilliant idea Google! One of those ideas where I hit myself on the head and say, "Why didn't I think of that?"
Reply to this comment
by afratta December 17, 2008 6:29 AM PST
eZanga.com is a search engine that specializes in pay-per-click advertising
Reply to this comment
(4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

About Webware

Say No to boxed software! The future of applications is online delivery and access. Software is passé. Webware is the new way to get things done.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Webware topics

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right