Bug misaligned the 'Sponsored' label above search ads for some queries and browsers

The 'Sponsored' label above Google search ads was reported rendering off its usual left alignment, shifting position depending on the query and browser. Google did not comment and the behaviour was read as a rendering bug rather than a deliberate change.

• Sachin Patel spotted the misalignment and shared screenshots on X and Search Engine Watch.
• The label sat slightly off-centre instead of flush left, with the offset more pronounced on some browsers and queries than others.
• Only the label position changed; ad eligibility, ranking and the ad unit itself were unaffected.
• Google made no public statement about the behaviour.