Right-hand column text ads removed from desktop search, with up to four ads above results

Google confirmed it was dropping text ads from the right side of desktop results worldwide and in all languages, showing up to four ads above the organic results for highly commercial queries and up to three below. Shopping ads and ads in the Knowledge Panel stayed on the right. The layout matched mobile and reduced the number of text ad slots per page, with knock-on effects for CPCs, CTRs and bidding.