Rank #1 on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)
In order to rank your website as #1 on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, you must pay for advertising.
Why is Ranking #1 Important?
Here are some recent estimates for the organic click-through rates (CTRs) for Google search results by position. The numbers vary depending on the study, SERP layout, device, industry, etc. These are rough averages:
Result position |
Estimated Click Through Rate (CTR)(%) |
1st |
~ 30-40% |
2nd |
~ 15-20% |
3rd |
~ 10-12% |
4th |
~ 6-8% |
5th |
~ 5-6% |
On a Google search engine results page (SERP), ads are the paid listings that appear above or below the organic results (and sometimes in the sidebar on desktop). Here’s how to identify them:
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Labeling:
- Google marks them with a small “Sponsored” label (previously it said “Ad” or “Ads”).
- This label appears next to the site’s URL.
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Placement:
- Top of the page: The first few results are often ads (sometimes 1–4).
- Bottom of the page: Additional ads may appear after the organic results.
- On Google Shopping searches, product ads with images and prices may show at the top, right side, or in a carousel.
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Types of ads you might see:
- Text ads (look like search results but with the “Sponsored” label).
- Shopping/Product ads (with images, prices, and store links).
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Local service ads (e.g., “Google Guaranteed” businesses).
Ad Placement & Quantity
- Top of Page: Up to four ads can appear above the organic search results.
- Bottom of Page: Up to three ads may be displayed below the organic results.
- Variations: The total number of ads can change based on the competitiveness of the search term and whether Google's system deems it necessary to show fewer or more ads.
Factors Determining Ad Placement
- Bid Amount: The amount an advertiser is willing to pay for a click on their ad.
- Ad Quality: The expected click-through rate (CTR), ad relevance, and the user experience of the associated landing page.
- Search Context: The user's location, device, time of search, and the search terms used.
Why the Number Varies
- Competitive Queries: Highly competitive keywords can result in more ads or different ad placements to meet advertiser demand.
- User Experience: Google aims to show ads that are relevant to the search query. If the system doesn't find enough relevant ads, or if too many are shown, the user experience can be negatively affected.
- Google's Ad Rank System: The system dynamically adjusts ad placements based on the factors mentioned above, leading to variations in the number and position of ads on different search results pages.
if you want to rank number one on Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo, you must pay for Google ads. The same thing goes with all other search entrance because the first link is typically a paid ad and 30 to 40% of people click on the first link.