Google announced they are going to be testing search ads in the Google Play Store search results.

So when you search for specific apps by keyword, Google can now buy ads to get your app to be listed at the top of the search results. Google said “in the next few weeks, we will begin piloting sponsored search results on Google Play, bringing our unique expertise in search ads to the store.”

Here is a picture of what the ads look like in the Google Play search results:

Google said:

I was wondering what took so long and when will Apple offer this, if ever.

Forum discussion at Google+.