Google AdWords Positioning

[dpickup]

If this has been asked/mentioned already sorry, but I couldn't find any threads on it. I was just doing a routine check in Google on our site's main keywords and was surprised to find our listing emblazened across the top of the page and highlighted in pink (what Google typically calls "Premium Sponsorship". We had looked into that kind of highlighted advertising once before but decided it wasn't cost effective. My first thought was that Google had moved the positioning of their AdWords since we bid on the keywords in question through that program as well. However subsequent searches found AdWords ads in the regular side positions as well as our ad right across the top. I'm not complaining (!) just wondering if anyone knows what's up?

[robert loch]

Bascially, if they don't have 2 sponsored links for the top, then they now insert an adword select advert to fill the gap. They started doing this in second week of June, I think.

For some bizarre reason this hasn't actually been reported anywhere, apart from my site of course ;-). In fact I sent a mail about it over to Search Engine Watch 2 weeks ago, but they didn't feel the need to report it either. There is clearly a conspiracy going on :-)

[Jinx]

Hrmm, I was unaware of this... Glad I know now, that's a feature you usually don't get unless your like a high profile company and what not. Gotta have some cash for a nice size campaign I mean.

[jbradley]

I, too, was unaware of this. Coolness!

Jason

[aspen]

I was aware of this, and I don't use the program and I don't visit your site so someone else must have reported it.

[dpickup]

Thanks for the info, I figured it was something like that but I'm surprised they didn't send out an email about it.

[robert loch]

'I was aware of this, and I don't use the program and I don't visit your site so someone else must have reported it.'

perhaps you are psychic.

actually it has been mentioned in other forums, my point was that it wasn't reported on any news sites..

[thinkfuture]

Hmm...but I've seen situations where there are no sponsored links: does it only happen when there is one sponsored link, and they need another link to fill that second spot, and thats were the adword goes?

[robert loch]

'does it only happen when there is one sponsored link'

That is my understanding of it. I've searched Google Info for an explanation, and they don't offer one. To my mind it is very odd that they are doing this without letting people know. If this had happened to me I'd be tempted to ask for my money back, simply because they do not have the contractual right to put Adword Select ads at the top. Obviously I'd allow the campaign to run a while before doing insisting on my refund :-)

[jbradley]

I'd just pretend like I never noticed.

Jason