One of the main arguments against Google establishing AI Mode as the standard search interface is the lack of monetisation surface in the results page. Google has been working on this and we are now seeing the first ads appearing in AI Mode. We continue to monitor this.
The integration is still quite rudimentary. Advertisements appear in a similar way to classic web searches, in a separate, graphically distinct block and are marked “Sponsored.” To better establish the context for the user’s input, a headline related to the prompt is also displayed.
Currently, these ads are only visible in a very small percentage of all AI Mode responses. Google appears to be in an early testing phase, searching for the right format for the integration. However, if Google has one strength, it’s positioning ad placements to closely resemble organic recommendations.
