We reported yesterday that Google was working on a new module for the New Tab Page which will be filled with shopping ads, after a new flag was discovered by Techdows called “NTP Shopping Task Module” which “Shows the new shopping module on the New Tab Page“.
Google has now contacted Techdows to deny that they intend to place ads on the NTP, saying these were simple free shopping-related search items.
“We’d like to clarify that this experiment is displaying free product listing, not ads,” the spokesman said. “We regularly test new features of this kind to help users with tasks like shopping and more”.
Of course, while the module may not contain 3rd party ads, by leading to Google’s shopping search page it is still only one step removed from there.
Are our readers reassured? Let us know below.