Google has rolled out a new image ad carousel inside the Google Images tab- something we haven’t seen before at this scale. When users search visually, they’re now met with a horizontal scroll of sponsored images mixed directly into the results. It’s subtle, but it’s another example of Google finding new places to put ads on the SERP without drastically changing the user experience.
While the Images tab has never been a primary focus for most law firms, with more people browsing visual results (think accident images, medical diagrams, legal process graphics), these carousels could become surprisingly valuable placements- especially for firms with strong creative assets.
How Will This Impact Your Firm?
- New surfaces for your ads– Your display, Pmax, and image assets can now surface in a spot many competitors aren’t watching yet.
- More visually-driven impressions– Users searching images often show early intent, getting your brand in front of them here builds familiarity before they hit the main SERP.
- Creative quality matters more– Poor or generic images will blend in or get ignored while firms with strong visuals will stand out immediately.
- Increased competition over time– As more advertisers notice this placement, costs and competition will rise, making it beneficial to get in early.
Our take: this update is small on the surface but could be big in strategy. Google is continuing to expand ad real estate into non-traditional placements, and early adopters usually see the best performance. As visual surfaces grow, having a team that knows how to design, optimize, and adapt creatively for every corner of the SERP helps ensure you’re ahead of competitors.
