I wonder how much higher the CTR is for the text link ads on the top of the Google and Yahoo search results, as opposed AdSense and YPN merchants? There seem to be a lot of users (my mother included) who think that the top "sponsored link" on the search results is actually the #1 ranked site. Any of you also find this to be true? This is especially true with Google, who does not put numbers next to the natural listings like Yahoo does. You think this is by accident? You think Google is doing a little casual mind tricks? They aren't stupid, they know that people don't read that little light grey text that says "sponsored link" in the upper right (as far away from the eyes of the user as possible). I'm not judging Google because it is good business, but I DO think they say one thing and do another. They put themselves on a moral pedestal when we have to play by different "rules" than they have for themselves or other major clients. Isn't it interesting that sites such as Dogpile can put Google Ads on the same page as Yahoo Ads, AND not have to follow the same formatting rules that the rest of us do? Does Google turn a blind eye to their biggest clients? There is certainly a different TOS for them. Bottom line, money talks. Once you get big enough, you can play by other rules, and at that point many people who didn't click on your ads before might suddenly (knowingly or not) start clicking. Sorry for venting but don't you sometimes feel that the rich get richer?
unfortunately, you are right. premium publishers haev lots of flexibility. welcome to the business world.