http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/20/11077472/google-search-ads-change-position
Is this working already? I fear that my ad blockers might be affecting this in the SERPs I see. Looks to be active in my keyword neighborhoods.
Yeah, I believe I've seen it once so far. Like you, my browser ain't exactly stock anymore, so I don't always pick up on changes that are being pushed upon the stupid ignorant unwashed defenseless lazy masses.
LM started a thread on this about the same time. A few thoughts there
http://th3core.com/talk/traffic/g-changing-ad-layout-in-serps/
I started seeing it in a sector I watch, a day before it started to be discussed in public.
I am uneasy, very uneasy about how it will affect the products I promote.
For us it was cost-effective to appear in the side column without chasing the top three.
>For us it was cost-effective to appear in the side column without chasing the top three.
I think I see their evil plan.
>I think I see their evil plan.
Short term plan.
Depends on the space but I think this will kill off many weak (AKA not high converting) sites.
Another article:
http://the-media-image.com/blog/google-to-remove-right-hand-side-ads-on-desktop/
Quote
this will have massive repercussions for search advertisers. Average CPCs will almost certainly inflate to vie for the top positions, as research has repeatedly shown that users overwhelmingly view, and interact with the top of the SERP, and neglect the bottom. One potential reason for limiting the amount of advertisers on the SERP might be that Google has determined the average CTR for the RHS ads is poor across verticals, and the expected CPC inflation from this major change is projected to more profitable in the long run, we suspect.
If you manage PPC you should careful to not make too many changes too quickly -- let the dust settle, mark the statistical changes and then adjust.