Mediarun Search Marketing News

Google Product Listing Ads launched in the UK

By Matthew Kynaston

November 3rd 2011

Search Engine Optimisation News

As of 1st November 2011, website owners in the UK can now take advantage of Product Listing Ads. This is a brand new ad format which Google have added to product related SERPs. It means that instead of the standard text adverts a user would see in the Ads section of a SERP, they will now be able to see images of the exact products you offer before they visit your site, along with the price. This apparently leads on to more clicks, higher quality leads and a higher return on interest (ROI) for your search ads.

According to Google, the beta version which has been rolled out in the US has been an incredible success, as users are “twice as likely to click on a Product Listing Ad as they are to click on a standard text ad in the same location”.

There are 2 types of Product Listing Ads you can use:

You can either extend your existing test ads with product information,
Or just use the standalone Product Listing Format (requires no text or keywords)

Another change is that Product Listing Ads are only charged by Google on a Cost per Action (or acquisition) basis (CPA). So you would only pay Google, when a user clicks through on your ad, and then purchases a product.

Google have also made the process of setting up the campaign as simple as possible; you only have to link up your Adwords account to your Merchant Centre account, and Google will automatically find the most relevant products to show for any user query.

Google seem very excited about this new format, and if they are right in their predictions about its success they have every reason to be. We will keep a close eye on how the SERPs will begin to change on google.co.uk and how it will affect our PPC campaigns.

To find out about the performance solution we can offer you and your business, speak to one of our consultants on +44 (0)8009 550 176 or contact us.