Blending ads, which is better?

Discussion in 'AdSense' started by Timby, Jan 23, 2007.

  1. #1
    I have read a lot about people saying blend your ads into your site, make them look like part of your site. But I have also read some people saying it is better to make your ads stand out and be noticed.

    This is an example of how I have used ads on my site: http://www.mariomayhem.com/consoles/ds/mario_kart_ds.php

    Notice the banner at the top has a black background and white text, the same as the rest of the site. Some of the older pages have grey text instead, im yet to update this.

    I have about a 2% ctr, I was wondering would I be better off going the other extreme and making these ads stand out? Like having a bright orange back ground or something so the ads really catch your eye because they are so different?

    Has anyone had any experience with this kind of thing? Any help is greatly appreciated!
     
    Timby, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  2. casperl

    casperl Peon

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    #2
    I think it is good. But i think i am not lucky about CTR just like you since my CTR is around %1-2 :( MAybe niche specifies this a lot.. Mine is related to a programming language mainly..
     
    casperl, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  3. Timby

    Timby Well-Known Member

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    #3
    yeah I would imagine that programming sites wouldn't have a good ctr, they say most computer type people kind of filter out the ads automatically and don't click. Thanks for your input mate.
     
    Timby, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  4. 45n5

    45n5 Peon

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    #4
    Different ad formats do different things on different sites.

    Assuming you get traffic, you can find out what works best for your site with a simple split test between blended and not.

    http://performancing.com/node/1073
     
    45n5, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  5. cellularnews

    cellularnews Peon

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    #5
    I'd be inclined to try the following:

    A block of link ads on the side menu, blended to match the menu links.

    A large cube ad half way down the content and rotate the sizes. I find that a smaller cube, in the space for a larger cube creates a blank space around the ad and that seems to increase ctr/earnings.

    If possible try to push the skyscraper further down the page - it is quite long, and once you scroll down, there is no ad inventory at all.
     
    cellularnews, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  6. lfcfan

    lfcfan Peon

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    #6
    Put a ad-box inside your post. CTR will increase at least to 4%.....Thats what I observed from my site....
     
    lfcfan, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  7. john_nyc

    john_nyc Active Member

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    #7
    i have been playing with adsense for a few months - so i am not expert - but i have toyed with blending/contrast/different types of ad units and they all produced different things. Usually right after the change I had an increase in result for a couple of weeks - people that frequent your site suddenly see something different and are drawn to it -- don't be afraid to adjust the ads once a month and see what happens. I just blended mine and have had nice reults
     
    john_nyc, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  8. KC TAN

    KC TAN Well-Known Member

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    #8
    I like your current placement and would not advise to make it stand out.
     
    KC TAN, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  9. lfcfan

    lfcfan Peon

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    #9
    Absolutely correct. One should change their ad format, colors... onece in a while. Particularly if your visitors are regular.
     
    lfcfan, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  10. gsoftinfo

    gsoftinfo Active Member

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    #10
    make the add part of ur main contents it will increase CTR
     
    gsoftinfo, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  11. visio

    visio Well-Known Member

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    #11
    Try different methods. Different methods work on different sites so there isn't a one-fits-all method.

    Methods big-shots use to make $$$ with adsense
    Rotating google adsense to improve CTR

    Again try different methods and give enough time for each to see which converts best. I find a comfortable ad color scheme without borders which is neither sticking out nor completely blended in performs the best.
     
    visio, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  12. Timby

    Timby Well-Known Member

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    #12
    thanks for the great tips guys, I was thinking about adding an extra ad in with my articles about half way down or so, seems like that was a good idea by what you guys are saying. I will have to give it a try on a few of the pages atleast.

    Thanks for the great replies!
     
    Timby, Jan 25, 2007 IP