Sorry I don't have a screenshot (I'll keep a lookout for the next time), but I noticed a particular banner ad on my site that had an "X" icon in the upper right, that highlights as you move your mouse over it. Of course, I didn't click it, but I was wondering what it does. Is this some new feature? EDIT: luckily I came across it again:
I cannot say that I have come across that yet. i will keep my eyes open because I am not sure what that is about!
I thought adwords does not accept animated images where you imitate html elements like drop down menus and text fields, or is it something else?
Are you sure it was part of the adsense ad OR did the website designer place it there? I've noticed people placing little icons like that near their ad...
nope! I designed the site, and have refreshed the page until that particular ad popped up again. It's the only one that has that little box!
Ok.. I gues google is trying to test out some new features! (how annoying )., I just assumed that 'cause I saw something like that but an arrow instead.. on a lyrics site which as part of the design not adsense
You know what? They are testing many different variants on random sites in random time... I saw animated ad's, ad with little gfx logo of Google (not text like usual) etc... so this is possible.
Doesn't sound like AdSense to me - why forbid publishers from displaying ads in pop-ups and then use pop-up ads yourself?
I'll send Google an email with this screenshot, it would be interesting to see if I get a reply with some more info.
Let us know what google says about this, I haven't seen it yet myself... but would like to hear their 'theory'
Just a thought. It could be an X that 'fools' people into thinking they are closing the ad, but really, they are actually clicking on the ad. You sometimes get this trick effect in other pop-up ads.
I've seen these on google video ads and flash ads as well Its basically because these ad formats are obtrusive so closing it will allow the user to focus more on the site content
I don't think he's talking about pop-ups (correct me if I'm wrong) but instead banner ads that can be closed...
Ok, I got a reply from Google...this is really strange: So, it's adware?? If anyone sees that box, run an adware killer and see if anything out of the ordinary comes up. I'm doing this right now.
You don't think the advertiser put it there as part of their banner image as an attempt to increase CTR do you? As in the actual AdWords advertiser... It wouldn't really make sense as it'd increase their advertising fee without increasing the number of actual targeted visitors but someone could be doing that? And if so I'm sure Google will frown down on this as it would be degrading their reputation.
I managed to make an other screen shot of those ads, it seems to me like the "x" is not on the image is near the image: http://www.alexblogging.com/new-ads-from-adsense