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Why don't my Google search results show sponsored links?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 74 views
  • Last reply by ellosailor

ellosailor
ellosailor
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Previously Google would show sponsored links with pictures at the top of the search results, they now appear momentarily and then disappear. This is annoying as I used to find them really useful. It only happens when using Firefox, if I use Google Chrome it works fine, so I'm thinking it might be a problem with FF. I've emptied al the history/caches etc but the problem persists. Any suggestions folks??

Previously Google would show sponsored links with pictures at the top of the search results, they now appear momentarily and then disappear. This is annoying as I used to find them really useful. It only happens when using Firefox, if I use Google Chrome it works fine, so I'm thinking it might be a problem with FF. I've emptied al the history/caches etc but the problem persists. Any suggestions folks??

Chosen solution

Thanks jscher- it was Ghostery blocking the links. Sorted! Cheers

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All Replies (2)

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Hi ellosailor, if you see content load into a page and then disappear, perhaps one of your extensions is doing it?

Extensions such as Adblock Plus, Blur, Disconnect, Ghostery, NoScript, Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin or uMatrix should provide toolbar buttons to manage blocked content in a page. There may or may not be a number on the icon indicating the number of blocked items; you may need to click the button to see what's going on and test whether you need to make an exception for this site.

Testing in Firefox's Safe Mode: In its Safe Mode, Firefox temporarily deactivates ALL extensions, hardware acceleration, and some other advanced features to help you assess whether these are causing the problem.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. (On Mac, hold down the option/alt key instead of the Shift key.)

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • (menu bar) Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any difference?

ellosailor
ellosailor Question owner
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Chosen Solution

Thanks jscher- it was Ghostery blocking the links. Sorted! Cheers