New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen • Hacker News Board

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#11

Post by gilbertw1 » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:24 PM UTC

rosser wrote: post #8

eliben wrote: post #7

What are "actual results" for Southwest though? To me it seems like links to check-in, flight status, schedules and customer services is exactly what I'd want to see there. Is the image what you find distracting? But doesn't this give you immediate indication that you got into the right place?

I think the thing people are objecting to is less the image or its associated links, but that that whole thing is an ad . Yeah, it's probably the most relevant result, but it's giving the user (especially if that user is, you know, non-technical ) little choice but to click on the thing that puts money in GOOG's pocket. I can't speak for anyone else, but I find that a little evil.

If google is providing you a free service, and giving you exactly what you want in that first result, why shouldn't they get money for doing it? Seems like a win-win to me.

Plus these look more like customized brand pages for companies that people are "specifically looking for", I would rather have detailed information about a company right front and center when I'm looking for it. The fact that anyone makes money because of this fact is ancillary.

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#12

Post by pkfrank » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:25 PM UTC

spindritf wrote: post #6

Someone searching for Southwest Airlines is probably looking for... Southwest Airlines. So the very first result is a useful one. With sections of the official website conveniently linked and a pretty picture on top. This sounds to me like a complete non-issue. If you don't like ads, install AdBlock. Of course if you need clicks for your website, carry on.

Precisely. If Southwest's banner hit for "cheap airfare" or something similar, this would indeed be outrageous. But this just seems like useful (and sponsored) info being offered without needing to click-through.

Somewhat sensationalist.

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#13

Post by stingrae » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:27 PM UTC

This doesn't seem to be a very fair comparison. You cant compare a search for "maps" with a search for an actual company in this case "Southwest Airlines." I would expect that a search for a company even earlier in googles history would have been links mainly to southwest owned pages.

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#14

Post by Finster » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:37 PM UTC

spindritf wrote: post #6

Someone searching for Southwest Airlines is probably looking for... Southwest Airlines. So the very first result is a useful one. With sections of the official website conveniently linked and a pretty picture on top. This sounds to me like a complete non-issue. If you don't like ads, install AdBlock. Of course if you need clicks for your website, carry on.

It becomes problematic when these companies get control over the content of a brand search. There are ramifications for consumer advocacy. What happens when I start searching for "apple sec ruling" and I am given a full page sponsored ad courtesy of apple? I see that as giving companies a chance to bury insightful or informative content that may not be positive.

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#15

Post by jenius » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:38 PM UTC

spindritf wrote: post #6

Someone searching for Southwest Airlines is probably looking for... Southwest Airlines. So the very first result is a useful one. With sections of the official website conveniently linked and a pretty picture on top. This sounds to me like a complete non-issue. If you don't like ads, install AdBlock. Of course if you need clicks for your website, carry on.

Exactly my thoughts. As long as these don't start showing up on a more general search and only for what's obviously a search for only that specific company, I'd consider it an enhancement.

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#16

Post by thetrb » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:45 PM UTC

spindritf wrote: post #6

Someone searching for Southwest Airlines is probably looking for... Southwest Airlines. So the very first result is a useful one. With sections of the official website conveniently linked and a pretty picture on top. This sounds to me like a complete non-issue. If you don't like ads, install AdBlock. Of course if you need clicks for your website, carry on.

But if you're searching for Southwest Airlines then why do you want to get an ad for Southwest Airlines instead of just a neutral link to their homepage?

I understand ads for terms like "cheap tickets", but why would I want an ad for the term "Southwest Airlines"?

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#17

Post by acheron » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:46 PM UTC

I like the image of results from 2005. I had totally forgotten about "Froogle".

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#18

Post by seanv » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:51 PM UTC

spindritf wrote: post #6

Someone searching for Southwest Airlines is probably looking for... Southwest Airlines. So the very first result is a useful one. With sections of the official website conveniently linked and a pretty picture on top. This sounds to me like a complete non-issue. If you don't like ads, install AdBlock. Of course if you need clicks for your website, carry on.

this was my initial though... any big brand who owns a trademark is probably going to find this useful, and I can't imagine someone searching "dell" or "southwest airlines" who isn't simply looking for their main site.

If these ads show up when you search "cheep airline tickets" or "personal computers" i could see there being a problem.

Does anyone know what you need to do to qualify for that type of banner ad? My guess is trade mark and major brand recognition

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#19

Post by ktr100 » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:53 PM UTC

goolge quote:

“There will be no banner ads on the Google homepage or web search results pages. There will not be crazy, flashy, graphical doodads flying and popping up all over the Google site. Ever.”

http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2005/12/about-aol-announcem...

Re: New banner ads push actual Google results to bottom 12% of the screen

#20

Post by mhurron » Thu, Oct 24, 2013, 6:54 PM UTC

Mikeb85 wrote: post #10

What did he expect when searching for Southwest Airlines? He got their website and links to flights. I just did a few searches for educational topics, got no ads. ... I would say there isn't a problem...

Well now, at the moment it is just a pilot program (heh)

But lets assume it doesn't say that way and someone around here needs to search for something like oh

Visual Studio (something or other) Xcode git integration

Now imagine the glorious Microsoft or Apple ad covering 88% of the screen.

Still don't see the problem? An ad targeted the way this one is isn't useful for anything other than gauging reaction. For it to be useful they will have to show up on related searches, not ones that are specifically for that product or service.