I am not sure if you all noticed a little change in the Twitter Layout lately. This placement of the Twitter Search link could easily become an advertisement. Now I would not blame them if they sold this space and I would suspect that the powers that be at Twitter are testing to see if anyone complains via tweeting about the placement. If I were Twitter I would just GO FOR IT and let the chips fall where they may with all who would not like it.
Let me know your thoughts