Google is making some changes to the Search Results Page. These changes will only impact Desktop and Tablet devices.

Please see the change details below. The mock up provided is for illustration purposes only.

The changes to Google Ads Layout are as follows:

Google will show up to a max of 4 ads at the top of the search engine results page (SERP). Currently, there is a max of 3 ads showing in the SERP.
All the right hand side text ads will be removed.
Product Listing ads will take more prominence on the SERP where applicable.
The current ads showing in positions 5 to 7, that is 3 ads will move to the bottom of the page.
This means that the total number of ads showing on the SERP will reduce from approximately 11 to a max of 7 ads only.
Only two expanded sitelinks will be visible. Currently there are 4 expandable sitelinks displaying.
When the sitelinks are only showing as links, 4 sitelinks will be displayed in one line, similar to how it currently is.
Google will continue running experiments on mobile but no decision on the direction of mobile ad layout changes.
Those changes are likely to go to 100% ramp-up by early next week, that is early March 2016.

Impact of the changes to Google ads layout:

Overall ad impressions will be reduced by the elimination of right hand side ads. Google believes this will be a positive impact for user experience.
We may see an increase in CPC as all advertisers will bid for the top 4 positions. Failing this, advertisers will see their ads go to the bottom of the page.
We may also see more traffic going to paid listings compared to organic listings with an extra ad showing at the top of the page. Also, with 4 ads at the top of the page, organic listings will be pushed further down the page.

Hope this provides you a solid understanding of the changes and its impact on the market.

By Manesh Ram, Digital Marketing Specialist. Please follow @maneshram & Meta

Changes to Google Ads Layout