Google's New Page Layout Update Targets Sites With Too Many Ads

The New Google Layout Algorithm Targets Sites with Too Many Ads in the Area "Above the Fold"

In its ongoing efforts to emphasize the building of organic links and creation of credible content, Google is implementing a new layout algorithm update. So, what does this mean for you? Well, if your website shows an abundance of ads in the area of your web page that is considered “above the fold,” then you could see your ranking in the search engines drop.

"Above the Fold" – An Old Newspaper Term

So, what precisely is meant by “above the fold”? Actually, the phrase “above the fold” is a borrowed term that comes from the newspaper world which has been adapted by web designers. As the name suggests, “above the fold” describes the uppermost section of a web page. It’s in this section where ads are often clicked on the most and the establishment of keywords is best utilized. However, with the new Google layout algorithm update, you will need to be careful just how many ads you include in this section on your website.

The Type of Content Best Utilized in the Top Part of a Landing Page

Indeed, the new Google layout algorithm update can cause concern for owners and publishers whose sites display more ads than content at the top of their web page. For businesses, the information best presented above the fold on a web page includes:

• Content concerning product lines;
• The telephone number for your business;
• Pricing information;
• A visitor contact form;
• Payment logos for credit cards and PayPal;
• Logos that show you are an accredited business, BBB approved, and a secure site.

Creating Actionable Information

Above the fold information makes it convenient for people to take action without the need to scroll further down the web page for details. With the new algorithm in place, Google is making it its goal to minimize spam and lend authority to individual web pages. Therefore, Google’s new layout algorithm update is designed so web pages provide authoritative and valuable information that is easily recognized, all which promotes visitors to stay on a website and obtain the information they need. This concept can be likened to a newspaper’s above the fold, attention-grabbing headline and news, designed to increase newspaper sales and provide immediate, worthwhile information.

The Algorithm Update will Affect Roughly 30,000,000 Users

Do you believe that your website may have too many ads at the top? Then, with the implementation of the new algorithm, you will no doubt find out as you’ll soon see your website move down in the search engine rankings if it has this distinction. The reported algorithmic change, according to Google, will impact one percent of all searches – not a small percentage when you consider that several billion searches occur daily via Google itself.

Heat Maps – Mapping Viewer Response

The algorithmic change is related to general heat map findings. A heat map, when used for web building purposes, is an image or tool used to see where people are looking and not looking on a web page. Therefore, the web page measurement tool reveals precisely what content is being scanned when visitors land on a site. From this type of analytic mapping then, you can determine if web visitors are looking at the data on the page in the most effective way. Heat maps can also show what in the layout of a web page may be responsible for fewer page views.

If your Site has Too Many Ads, it May need to be Revamped

As a result, a heat map can serve to show site owners and webmasters how to implement changes to a site’s design. That being said, with respect to Google’s new layout algorithm, you will want to, for future reference, make use of Google’s browser size tool and similar functions to determine just how much of your landing page’s content is first seen by visitors at your site. From this information, you can better determine if your site may need to be revamped.

If it is Hard to Decipher the Content on your Web Page, then, in all Probability, your Search Engine Results will be Affected

However, the new algorithm change should only affect those publishers who have an obviously large amount of ads above the fold on their landing page, thereby making it difficult to read the content.

Ads Above the Fold Typically Get More Clicks

For example, if you have sizable ads or numerous AdSense ads in this section, all which push your content further down the page, then the new Google layout algorithm will very likely penalize you. People like to place ads above the fold as they make more ad money this way. However, with the new Google layout algorithm update in place, their page views will be affected as well as their clicks.

Make Sure Content is Clearly Visible

Nevertheless, site owners and publishers are still left in a quandary as to what will be considered an ad under the new ranking criteria. Are AdSense ads only affected or does the algorithm factor in display advertising or affiliate links into the equation too? To play it safe then, the best way to maintain good search engine results is to make sure that your content is readily seen.