AdWords ads appearing above search results on Google.com now have a new look, according to the Inside AdWords blog. The sponsored links that appear above organic search results will now have a yellow background, instead of the previous blue background.
To lessen unintentional clicks on ads, Google has also changed the way it processes clicks on those ads, from allowing a click anywhere in the box to count as a click to requiring the user to click on the link in the top line, as in other ads.
Google has been testing the changes for a few weeks now. The moves are expected to lower clickthrough rates, but should improve ROI, as users that do click through are more likely to have done so intentionally.
Save up to $400! Register now for SES New York 2012, the Leading Search & Social Marketing Event, taking place March 19-23. Google's Digital Marketing Evangelist Avinash Kaushik will keynote. Hurry, pre-agenda rate expires March 2!
