We noticed yesterday a subtle change in the layout of Google search: the column of paid ads has been shifted into a fixed space, more to the left than they were before. Whereas previously the ads were aligned with the right edge of a fixed-width page, they now float with wherever you place the right edge of your browser. In other words, it is impossible to make the ads disappear (unless, of course, you’re running ad blocking software).
If you squeeze your browser down to less than a few inches in width, the organic results actually get pushed down below all of the ads.
It will be interesting to see how much of an effect this has on click-through rates. Anyone out there doing Google CPC noticing anything yet?
