What are top Google ads? Top Google ads are a paid search engine results page (SERP) snippet that typically appears above the organic search results. They’re set apart from the rest of the results by the word ads.

Top Google ads are a paid search engine results page (SERP) snippet that typically appears above the organic search results. They’re set apart from the rest of the results by the word ads.

That way, viewers can tell at a glance which results are ads and which ones aren’t. Unlike many SERP snippets, top Google ads cost you money. You must set up an ad campaign to have an ad. There are also bottom Google ads, and ads in the sidebar, so the top isn’t the only place your ad could appear.

An example of a top Google ad

When you search for a competitive keyword online, you’ll likely see top Google ads right away. For instance, if you search for “Crocs sandals kids,” the top results are ads. These ads are shoppable images with a star rating visible to encourage shoppers to make a purchase.

You can also find more traditional ads at the top of a SERP. For instance, if you search for “freelance graphic designer,” several ads appear before the organic search results.


Each one has the word “ad” next to it, so readers know it’s an advertisement. Google Ad Rank helps determine the placement and order of your ad. The higher you are in the results, the more likely people are to click on your ad.

The benefits top Google ads provide

When it comes to search engine results, location matters; you want your ad to be at the top, so more people see it. That’s why top Google ads are so desirable.

Besides increasing click-through rates, a top Google ad:

What type of content is used for top Google ads?

Top Google ads are a type of paid content. To have this type of SERP snippet, you need to set up a Google ad campaign. But you can’t just set up an ad campaign and expect your ad to be at the top. You’ve got to optimize your campaign first to improve your Google Ad Quality Score so that you can claim the number one ad position.

However, being number one doesn’t mean you’ll be on top. Sometimes, the first ad is underneath organic search traffic to help improve user experience. In this case, you’d have a bottom Google ad.

Here are some primary factors that impact your Ad Rank.

  • Ad bid: How much are you willing to pay for a click? The more you bid, the higher you’ll likely rank.
  • Ad quality: Google cares about its users and wants to send them to high-quality pages. Make sure your landing page and ads are both ready for people.
  • Ad rank threshold: You have to meet the minimum threshold for Google to show your ad.
  • Search context: Before your ad rises to the top, it needs to relate to the search terms someone entered. The searcher’s location, type of device, and other information play a role in determining if your ad is what the user is looking for.

Top Google ads can increase clicks

Top Google ads can increase clicks

If you pay attention to those factors when creating your ads, you’re more likely to rise to the top of the results and get a top ad placement. The more relevant your ads are to the user’s intent, the more likely you are to get clicks back to your site.

Talk to a content specialist at ClearVoice about developing highly clickable paid ad content for your brand today.