Using images within Google primary SERP layout isn’t all that new by any means either, as sibling product integrations to universal SERPs over the last few years attest. For example Google Shopping shown here.

Google SERP Red Shoes

But it’s not just about relevant images shown in an ad. It’s more the fact they are attached to the ad unit and not part of universal results brought in from another market-place where the click will likely go to another channel.

There are a ton of verticals where this won’t necessarily be a logical format to adopt. But for pretty much any consumer proposition, the ability to add supporting relevant eye-candy will create a higher propensity to click in this ad position. And it’s easy to see why. 

AdWords Image Extensions

In the screen-shot above for a resort in Hawaii, the three images displayed immediately create a sense of whether the ad is worthy of a click due to visual relevance and enticement factors.

Without simply trying to tease someone into a click with relevant adcopy, I think this new format will help further pre-qualify the click. So, better quality of visitors, possible reduced bounce rates – who wouldn’t want that? 

To sum up what is for now a short intro without any public stats to back anything up, adding a proprietary brand/product visual element that is relevant to ad messaging/search term and draws traffic directly, can only be a good thing, especially in a multi-screen world where tablet search is higher funnel and more visually driven for most verticals.

You could argue that this new ad format is much better than ad previews that have dissappeared. They required an action to become displayed, whereas supporting visuals front and center is obviously passive and much more effective.

Also you had no choice with visuals on that format – it was a capture of your landing page. And to those traditionalists who say this over complicates a SERP layout even more, not sure what to tell you.  

Yes, it pushes down organics another 90 or so pixels. Yes, it is another move away the simplicity of the Google of 10 years ago. But it is what it is when you have shareholders. 

Google says:

As the web evolves, Google users expect richer and more diverse content. More than one in six searches on Google today provide results with visual content. Image extensions will show in some cases when we determine that a search is likely for visual content. For example, it is more likely that your image extensions will show for a query like luxury car designs than locations of nearby car dealerships. 

 If you’re interested more in this new ad format, you can sign up here to request access to it.