Google tries to display third-party content directly within Search ads.
The test places short recommendations from third-party publishers under the ad description, including the third-party company’s name, logo, and favicon.
What is shown. The preview was spotted by Sarah Blocksidge, Director of Marketing at Sixth City Marketing, who shared the screenshot on Mastodon. In the example, the search ad included a line “Best for casual travelers,” featured in PCMag, complete with publication favicon.
The endorsement appears directly below the ad copy, visually separating it from the text written by a typical advertiser.
Why do we care. If rolled out more widely, the change could make search ads feel more like product reviews — and give advertisers with strong third-party verification a new advantage in crowded auctions.
What Google says. A Google Ads spokesperson confirmed the test, calling it a “small test” –
- “This is a small trial we’re running right now that’s testing putting content from third-party recommendations in search ads.”
Google did not provide details on eligibility, availability, advertiser controls, or how recommendations are selected.
What we don’t know yet. It is not clear whether advertisers can access this feature, request certain permissions, or influence which third-party sources appear. Google also hasn’t said whether the test is related to existing review extensions, publisher partnerships, or broader trust and security efforts.
What you can watch. If Google expands the experiment, third-party credibility may become more visible in ad performance — shifting the emphasis from advertiser claims to external verification in the search environment.
For now, the test appears limited, but it offers a glimpse into how Google may continue to integrate ads, trust signals, and editorial-style content into search results.
Celebrate Deep. Screenshot shared on Mastadon.
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