Bing tests ad placement in organic search results

Microsoft’s Bing has begun testing paid search ads in its organic results page rather than placing them on the sides or among the top of them.

While the ads are tagged, they may cause confusion for some browsers. Still, for Bing-centered search engine optimization campaigns, this can have tremendous effects.

According to recent studies, consumers spend more time browsing search ads at the side and the top of search results. Browsers truly pay more attention to top organic results, which is usually placed there because of their quality and SEO.

By placing ads in the organic results, Bing may help some advertisers generate more clicks. However, if this is permanently implemented, it will put less emphasis on SEO.

If the ad opportunities are successful, companies would no longer have to invest in SEO campaigns. All they have to do is pay the search engine.

In 2009, Yahoo! tested a similar ad format, but it was later dropped due to poor reception from users and advertisers.