A WebmasterWorld thread has one searcher noticing a new form of Google ads that shows a product image at the top right area, right above the AdWords ads. Here is a picture the reader sent me:
I asked Google about this and they told me:
At Google, we're constantly experimenting with new features, tools and visual representations to improve the user experience and usefulness of our ads. In accordance with that philosophy, we're planning a beta test to show richer product information in the ads for shopping-related queries. This test will only be visible to a small number of U.S. users.
Let me give you perspective and some history on how these ads work. Back in November 2007, we first spotted reports of this and then again in January 2008. Then in October 2008 we had pictures of products in AdWords ads, which became the real-deal in February 2009. The feature was powered by Google Base linkage with AdWords.
More recently, we saw one line text versions of this in action, and now a more graphical version, as shown in the image above. Google confirmed these ads are all from the same source and they are testing various ways to display and deliver them.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
