I found this on one of Yahoo's own pages, so I assume it is legal. Yahoo is placing images next to their ads: http://dir.yahoo.com/Government/Politics/Political_Issues/ Does it do that by default with ads or do you have to do it yourself? Also, does it increase CTR?
Ads next to text ads usually does increase CTR. I know that's why Google doesn't allow it. Not sure about Yahoo. Keep in mind that some of these networks will do something on their own sites that they will not let you do as a publisher. This could be a case of do-as-we-say-not-as-we-do. Those look like paid Overture/Yahoo ads. If I were paying for a link there, I'd probably want an image of my choice next to it for more visibility. Especially if everyone around me is just text.
Wow... yahoo are naughty! I bet you advertisers will dis like this , because its increasing CTR, its like click fraud really.. Tyler
Google does the same thing but I see nothing wrong with it. Simply because they can do what they want.
First spotted by Loren at http://www.searchenginejournal.com/yahoo-serving-images-in-sponsored-search-listings/6226/ Yahoo gave me a statement at http://searchengineland.com/080111-082148.php --- The statement doesnt add much...
If the sponsors say its oaky.. then its okay.. I dont believe Yahoo just felt like placing the images there.. Overall, i believe its considered click fraud