The short text ads that accompany Google search results are about to get some company, according to The Wall Street Journal's Digits blog. The search giant is experimenting with what it calls "product ads" that will feature specific information on consumer goods, including price and a product image.
The ads will appear when consumers make shopping-related searches for items such as sneakers or televisions, according to the report. The new ad format won't replace the standard text ads, but it will complement them.
Unlike Google's text ads, which are sold on a cost-per-click model, marketers will only be charged for the product ads when a consumer makes a purchase. Advertisers can set the commission they are willing to pay, and Google will place the ads based on a number of factors, including commission, relevancy, and how often the ad is clicked.
The Journal notes that this is just the latest move by Google to squeeze more ad revenue out of its existing products, and the search giant is reportedly a little nervous about Microsoft's much buzzed-about Bing.
