Google Adwords- The New Color of Paid Search
April 8, 2007 by Pablo Palatnik
So, it’s finally kicked in, although I should have blogged about it before I guess. Google Adwords is now displaying the top 3 results in their search yellow. Not a big deal?
Studies have proven in the past and of course true until present day, the color of an image, banner, link, and more will have an impact on the searcher.
There can actually be Pros & Cons from all aspects of search.
Let’s look at the pros of this new decision by Google:
1- A new look can impact the user in a positive way enticing the searcher to click.
2- More of an “In Your Face†ad results in the top three MIGHT increase CTR more than it did before.
The Con’s:
1- New background color is something new to the searcher and can maybe have the impact a banner or pop-up does and discourage the user from a click.
2- Blue use to blend in with Google’s search results. A higher CTR is usually obtained blending in links with site colors, format, etc.
If you’re an SEO, this can impact you in a positive way if the color discourages the searcher from clicking and can actually improve the CTR of organic results.
Let’s be clear about something, Google isn’t in the business to drive away clicks where they are making money. About 80% of Google’s revenue (I think that’s about right), comes from paid search…discourage paid clicks? Google? Never!
