Google updated its definition of top ads in its Help Center to better reflect how ads can appear in Google Search
A spokesperson told Search Engine Land that this just a “definitional change” and that it would not affect how performance metrics are calculated.
What are top ads? Top ads are ads that appear above the organic result, and also below organic results for certain queries. As explaiend by Google:
Why now. Google changed its definition of top ads after testing ads between search results back in October. Patrick Stox, Ahrefs product advisor, technical SEO and brand ambassador, noticed sponsored posts were appearing where the third and fifth organic positions normally run and shared a screenshot on X:
Why we care. This update could indicate that Google is progressing with its idea to insert ads between organic search results, as seen in trials last year. This change could potentially result in more clicks for advertisers in areas of Google Search that have traditionally been reserved for organic content.
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