Google is testing a new mobile Search ad layout that surfaces the advertisers in a sponsored results block before displaying the ads themselves, potentially giving users more context before they click.
If rolled out more broadly, the change could influence how users scan and interact with paid search results.
What’s happening. The experiment places a list of advertisers—including each advertiser’s favicon and domain name—at the top of a group of sponsored results on mobile Search.
Instead of seeing the first ad immediately below the “Sponsored results” label, users first see the participating advertisers, followed by the individual ads.
Google has not commented on the experiment, and it remains unclear whether the feature will expand beyond a limited test.
Why we care. Highlighting advertisers before the ads themselves could increase brand visibility and help users identify the companies featured in the sponsored results block before reading individual ad copy.
For advertisers with strong brand recognition, the format may improve trust and encourage clicks. Less familiar brands, however, may need to work harder to stand out.
First spotted. This update was spotted by Digital Marketer Sachin Patel, who shared his discovery on X.