Well worth the read for those of you trying to figure out why you not getting clicks on ads: A newly released eyetracking study by Jakob Nielsen shows that online banner blindness is worsening: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/banner-blindness.html
Their ad placement isn't optimized though, so I don't doubt it for this site. Their ads are in the top and right sidebar which is were common internet users know that ads are. So what do you do? Blend them with content.
Nice little report, nothing new though. Everybody knows people unconsciously ignore ads. Or anybody with any experience anyway. The future is letting your viewers know the ads are there but providing such good content that they will come back and will be less reluctant to click on ads because of the service you provide. It's all about gaining a relationship with your users now. Which is why Shoemoney makes money from his blog yet his ads are obvious, their on the right hand side, their colorful, very obvious to the most in-experienced web user. But people click them and are not bothered by them because they like him and his site. He doesn't try to trick them into clicking. That's the key.
They actually used hundered of pages for their results. The heatmap is just 1 page out of all that. If you read the article, he does mention behaviour in relation to ad clicks on heavily optimised ad placements (eg making it seem part of the content)
We all become use to advertising. The human brain has the distinct skill of being able to see what it wants to see and block out the noise. This is what is happening on TV and Radio, so advertisers are opting for product placement instead of distinct advertising. Next time you listen to the radio, hear how the traffic report guy slips in an advertisement. Personally, I hate it. Here's a question? How often would you say you read the banner sized ad at the top of this forum?
I totally agree!! Also think of your target audience, my experience has shown me that technical and web savvy users are less likely to click ads then teenagers, house wives (or husbands), pet fanatics etc.. I never click on ads, I can spot them a mile away, but my mom, she clicks on every damn ad she sees even when I'm trying to show her something.. After years of trying to teach her to use the internet she only can spot "Those Banner Ads".
Nothing new here. Jon2k6 is right on the money. How the reader perceives their relationship with the site will justify if and when they click an ad. Personally, I rarely click ads and don't really see them. However, I am not as adverse to click ads when they are coming from a trusted site. As for adsense, forget about it. I have adsense blindness
Actually, you are very wrong about that. He reports on the results of a scientific study performed using proper methodology so his conclusions are actually valid with respect to the hypothesis that he set out to test. You, on the other hand, used common sense to draw the same conclusion which of course is as good as any other conclusion since you can't show it being supported by any kind of evidence. In other words, now you can keep saying to people that they should blend their ads better and then point them to the study as proof that you are correct. The study gives credibility to your advice and none can take it away from you; you should thank him for doing all the hard work for you. Cheers!
But if I'm doing ad placement for just myself and not clients there's no difference having seen the report.