Google AdWords Testing 3 Product PLAs at Top of Search Results

Google is testing a reduced number of Product Listing Ads showing at the top of the search results.  While we usually see 6 items, and often a carousel, seeing only three items is a bit unusual, especially when there are more products available that could be shown.

What I find most interesting about these is that when there are only three ads, the added white space really makes those 3 PLAs stand out significantly more than when you compare the same one with 4-6 images instead.

Compare with the same size PLA unit with 6 items instead of just 3.

They also seem to display as three on the right sidebar, but since that is usually only 4 products wide, it isn’t as significant.

Google tested the 3 item PLAs back in May, but it seemed to be a limited test.  It might be bringing them back

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Jennifer Slegg

Founder & Editor at The SEM Post

Jennifer Slegg is a longtime speaker and expert in search engine marketing, working in the industry for almost 20 years. When she isn't sitting at her desk writing and working, she can be found grabbing a latte at her local Starbucks or planning her next trip to Disneyland. She regularly speaks at Pubcon, SMX, State of Search, Brighton SEO and more, and has been presenting at conferences for over a decade.

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