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Why this wasn’t done earlier is anyone’s guess, but Google has finally introduced Display Ads on the Google Image Search service on a trial basis.

Display ad on Image Search

Google Image Search was redesigned a few months ago. At that time, they introduced a new ad format called Image Search Ads. This format included a thumbnail image accompanying a basic text ad. The feature has performed well and advertisers have reported satisfactory results. Users of the feature also have reason to be happy as the search results to their queries are accompanied by relevant commercial content.

In order to extend this service further, Google has now expanded the image ads format. Advertisers will now be able to reach a larger audience with engaging ads that would help to create both brand awareness as well as improve sales.

Display ads on Google Image Search will work in the same manner as they do elsewhere on the Google Display Network. Depending on the search being conducted, “relevant” display ads will be shown to users.

To start using this facility, advertisers have to use the AdWords Placement Targeting Tool to target Google Images and then select the category of searches on which they would like to advertise. Advertisers can either upload their own leaderboard ads (sized 728 x 90 pixels) or create new ones with the help of Google’s ad builder.

According to comScore, the average Internet user in the U.S. has seen about 6,000 display ads in the third quarter of 2010 alone. This new feature will add a significant volume of ad impressions to that number. Advertisers won’t mind, though, as it will help them reach a new potential audience.

At present, display ads on Google Images are shown only on a few queries in the U.S. and U.K. but the service will be expanded in due course.