If you have logged into your account recently, you have seen that adsense has released a new feature: Google Certified Ad Networks. It is my understanding that this allows adsense to display ads from other advertisement networks when a better ad alternative is available, thus increasing your long term earnings. It is also my understanding that this is automatically activated in your account and you simply "block" advertisers you do not wish to display ads from, all of them being "allowed" by default. Correct me if I am wrong about the above. What do you guys think about this move by google/adsense?
I've experimented with the various ad networks, haven't really noticed any difference disabling some though
Hard to say. Depends on what kind of financial agreement is made with those networks. Are they commanding the same prices as Google? Are they doing a better job of selling adspace in niches that are not populated in Adsense? Take Real Estate for example. The top keywords are very expensive. So perhaps a company who can not pay the high prices opts for a 3rd party network to buy exposure. What will the click be worth and how much will it pay you. I see this as Good for Google in expanding it's volume, but will it pay you more? I've left it at default choosing not to block any of them... I've also left the default on 3rd party. My Adsense is up about 20% this month. I've noticed no negative downturn since these were put into play months ago. Might make a difference in smaller less competitive niches. But the Ads I see on my sites are pretty mainstream. I just don't think that Google gives us enough information to do anything but guess.