Text-based advertisements returned by a search engine, most commonly on a SERP. The placement of this ad has been paid for by the company (qv organic listings). A hyperlink is included, so that interested consumers may click on the advertisement and go to the advertised site. Sponsored links usually appear in designated areas on a SERP, usually the top and right side before natural search results. They may also appear on Web sites that allow advertising ( contextual ads).