Publications
Publications
- 2010
- HBS Working Paper Series
Advertising Disclosures: Measuring Labeling Alternatives in Internet Search Engines
By: Benjamin Edelman and Duncan S. Gilchrist
Abstract
In an online experiment, we measure users' interactions with search engines, both in standard configurations and in modified versions with clearer labels identifying search engine advertisements. In particular, for a random subset of users, we change "Sponsored links" or "Ads" labels to instead read "Paid Advertisements." Relative to users receiving the "Sponsored link" or "Ad" labels, users receiving the "Paid Advertisement" label click 25% and 27% fewer advertisements, respectively. Users seeing "Paid Advertisement" labels also correctly report that they click fewer advertisements, controlling for the number of advertisements they actually click. Results are most pronounced for commercial searches, and for vulnerable users with low education and little online experience.
Keywords
Online Advertising; Interactive Communication; Corporate Disclosure; Labels; Marketing Strategy; Consumer Behavior; Internet; Search Technology
Citation
Edelman, Benjamin, and Duncan S. Gilchrist. "Advertising Disclosures: Measuring Labeling Alternatives in Internet Search Engines." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 11-048, November 2010. (Revised January 2011, January 2012.)