Google is implementing an update for its search results on desktop and mobile platforms, altering the display of sponsored content. The change introduces a collapsible section for paid results, a move Google describes as an effort to improve user navigation.
Previously, Google labeled each paid search result individually with a small “sponsored” tag. The new system consolidates all sponsored listings into a distinct, grouped section located at the top of the results page. This entire section is designated by a single, more prominent “Sponsored” label. A feature of this label is its persistence; it remains visible on the screen as a user scrolls down the page. To conceal the block of advertisements, users must first scroll past the sponsored content to reach a button located at the bottom of the section.
Interacting with the feature involves a single tap on the hide button, which causes the entire section to collapse under the persistent “Sponsored” heading. If a user wishes to view the advertisements again, another tap on the heading will expand the section, revealing the paid listings. The company confirmed this update is currently rolling out to all users, affecting both desktop and mobile versions of its search engine. The functionality operates identically across both platforms.
This change is part of an evolution in how Google handles paid placements, which has in the past drawn public backlash for making advertisements appear similar to organic results. Around 2020, the company transitioned from using the word “Ads” to the term “Sponsored” for labeling such content. In its communication about the change, Google framed the latest modification as an initiative designed to “make navigation even easier” for individuals using its search platform.
