Google is testing purple “ad” tags on AdWords ads on their local map results, along with matching purple map markers and icons for the related search results.
I actually spotted this back on the 19th, but wasn’t entirely sure if it was new or not.
However, it seems others began noticing it within the last couple of days.
@paidinsights I took a screenshot of the same thing back on April 19th… but I also couldn't decide if it was new or not. Sounds like new.
— Jennifer Slegg (@jenstar) April 25, 2016
@paidinsights @heroconf News to me — purple? Google's playing taste the rainbow to get more ad clicks. Have to say I prefer the green…
— Sean Murphy (@PPC_Sean) April 24, 2016
The purple ad tag stands out quite a bit. Google has tested various colors of their “ad” tag, most recently with green.
These are accessed not through Google’s local map pack, which also started showing ads, but through the Google Maps website instead.
They are appearing on both mobile and desktop, although not for all users. Here is how it normally appears, with the yellow ad tag and regular red markers.
Jennifer Slegg
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