Using pictures next to adsense ads

Seems like most arcade games use some variation of pictures next to google ads to improve CTR such as:

http://www.arcaderush.com/

And reportedly, it works great.


My site is http://www.playedonline.com - gets about the same amount of traffic reported by ArcadeRush but only make 1/10 the revenue.

The question is, is this ok with google? Would you recommend using this tactic?

 

it works really really well... only Google can tell you if it is ok and it seems to be on a case by case basis... There is such a fine line between blending in and fooling =P

Maybe Jenstar can comment

 

Place the ads the way you want it, take a screenshot, and email it to Google Adsense support to get their blessing. If they say Yes, keep the email, and implement it on the live site. As the Shoe man said, it's really on a case-by-case basis, and you definitely need G's approval or else risk banishment.

 

It works great for me. There is nothing against picture placements in AdSense TOS.

But to be on the safe site, it is always better to check it directly with Google.

 

As shoemoney said, there has to be some visual barrier between ads and images.

 

I went directly to Google to ask about images above/beside ad units, and if the images could be confused as being part of the ad, you need a border between the two.

Here is the full reponse:
http://www.jensense.com/archives/2005/08/images_above_ad.html

 

So this site is violating the TOS: http://www.arcaderush.com/ ? I see no barrier.

 

Good example, I am sure a lot of people are fooled into clicking on those ads at the top beside the pictures. Isn't that a waste of advertisers budget?

 

Also, he has the words "most popular" on tops of ad links. Surely, that's attracting attention to the ads.

 

Thats why google is not allowing this.

 

It's open to interpretation. It's not black and white, it depends on the type of ads, type of photos/graphics, how close to the ads, etc.

That's why shoemoney and jack are saying ask Google, they are te only ones that can tell you if YOUR site is OK.

 

one of the better sites I've seen "blending" google ads is

http://www.capitaltutorials.com/viewcat.php?id=1&page=5&view=&sort=

 

That to me is too blended in. It is deceiving, but I do see lots of sites doing it.

 

The issue is possible confusion of the image being overly associated with an ad. If the image is generic, which it is on that site, it's usually not a problem.

Ad blending is a different issue altogether. It can be done with or without images near the ads. Google doesn't advocate extremes on either end for maximum performance.

I took a look at your sites in your sig. The ads on your site stand out too much.

Read this: https://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/answer.py?answer=17957&ctx=sibling

 

I have seen some sites that puted some pictures with naked woman above the
google ads..it looks very real..

 

That would be against the TOS.

 

And is this ok :

http://www.funnywebzone.com/

Look at the pictures behind the ads.

 

I know. I am a total adsense newbie and I just input the ads on my site a few days ago. I did see that link you posted and plan on reading through it when I get a chance to hopefully make my ads blend better. I am just happy I managed to input the code correctly and it actually worked!


If you have any specific ideas on how I could blend the ads better, feel free to share them with me. thanks.

 

I didn't even know that sites like that were allowed to carry adsense.

 

I made some small color changes to the ads, do they look any better? Also, are you allowed to change the font size, if so, how is that done? thanks again.