Google Testing URLs Above Search Results

Google has been busy testing a new mobile snippet and layouts recently for both organic and paid search results. We've recently spotted them testing breadcrumbs at the top of the search results snippet and now Google is testing the URLs, instead of the breadcrumbs, at the top of the snippet. As far as we can tell these tests have been limited specifically to mobile search results as Google continues to refine its mobile SERP in a bid to give users an experience that is on par with its trusted desktop version. So what does the change look like? Have a look below

For organic search results

Normally, what you would see is the title at the top, followed by the URL or marked up breadcrumb trail and then finally the meta description.

However with the new test URL or marked up breadcrumb trail sits on top with a large white space separating the title and meta description. Here is the test from last week with what you should see (minus tags) on the left and the breadcrumb at the top on the right:

Will Hayes posted a screen shot on Twitter of the new test, showing the URL at the top

This change we find interesting for a few reasons, the first being that Google is emphasising the URL above the title, by positioning it first. This emphasis on the breadcrumbed URL first might mean SEOs should have a look at their breadcrumbs and the information architecture of their sites especially those not using schema to cover up the cracks. We've known for years that an ugly or poor URL structure does affect click through the more spammy it looks.

Googles mobile SERP does support the BreadcrumbList schema although it will also pull out breadcrumbs from HTML breadcrumbs used within a webpage to show it as well, for those without schema but have Breadcrumb Lists implemented on their site. Finally, for those who don't have breadcrumbs, Google will populate a list directly from your IA folder structure.

For Paid Search Results

As with organic listings, the URL will appear above the title along with the "ad tag". This new design does seem to separate the “ad” tag from the result a bit and some may not even notice the ad tag with such separation from the listing. Making it seem more like an organic listing for those who look straight to the title since they have added significant whitespace to the ad.

For an advertiser like Apple, it is likely that this wouldn’t have as much of an impact as a lesser known brand or for more competitive search results with a full complement of advertisers. This could also see brand bidding ads becoming more effective for click through as the lines between brand organic and brand paid begin to blur into one.

Here is how it normally looks vs the update:

This does appear to be a limited test, so advertisers may not see an impact with this depending on how many searchers see this test. But if the change becomes permanent, it means advertisers may need to consider the URL they are using a bit more than they otherwise would have in the past.

A new take on SERP

Like any site, Google continues to strive for a better user experience and drive better click-throughs from search and with that comes A/B testing, the UX researchers favourite past time. Google has always been notorious for rigorous testing before deploying any changes, so only time will tell if this new look will stick or if it will be scrapped during testing. What do you make of this new look for search results? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Tags: Google Adwords, PPC, SEO