Tom Chuong, SEO

Google Experiments with Sponsored Links within Google Suggest

September 3, 2009 – 5:23 pm

Last year, I was delighted to see and use the new search feature called Google Suggest. For me, it helped correct my horrible and sometimes annoying spelling errors when I was searching. In fact, it had saved me more time than I’d realized because I was now researching keyword or phrases that I would not normally thought of.

Fast forward to September 2009, and it was only a matter of time before Google started experimenting with AdWords ads within it’s Google Suggest.

Here’s a snapshot for the keyword “att wireless”:

From an advertiser’s perspective, it could mean a higher click-through rate for their ads. However, it could also mean  a higher CPC (cost per  click) for the advertiser. Ultimately, the advertiser could see more sales as a result of the added exposure or impressions.

This is yet another attempt by Google to increase it’s AdWords exposure, and overall revenue. Clearly, exposing searchers to an AdWords ad within Google Suggest will definitely increase Google’s revenue. And since this is a new feature, many searchers that are not Internet savvy may inadvertently click on the ad because it’s more appealing that the other suggestions in the list.

Most importantly, it will give Google another opportunity to revised their advertising guidelines because currently only one sponsored link is being shown within Google Suggest. The quality of the ads shown may be better, but it may also present problems for many marketers, and new users of AdWords.