Google searchers will now be able to hide sponsored results

Google announced on Monday in an Ads & Commerce Blog post this significant upcoming change to how search results will be presented.

How this will work is:

• All sponsored results will be grouped together, with a prominent "Sponsored Results" label which will remain visible as users scroll.
• Also will appear a "Hide sponsored results" button which when clicked collapses the sponsored results leaving only organic returns.
• Users will then be able to see a "View sponsored results" button which they can click to reveal ads if they so choose.

Google VP of Product Management and Data Science Omkar Muralidharan said:

“In our testing, we found that the new design helps people navigate the top of the page more easily, The new design keeps the size of ads the same, and you’ll still never see more than four text ads in a grouping."

The key to making this a positive change is to hit the sweet spot where good prospects choose to view your ads and those who would waste your click charges do not. Offers in ads will need to be crystal-clear and persuasive. And if that's done well, your ads should reach users with more serious intent who will become better-quality leads.

This change is being rolled out gradually and should show up in your results soon.