Is less better? I am wondering this once again. It has often been said, "Leave them wanting more, so they will click." I have a certain page that ranks very well. Google sends me lots of traffic. It ranks #1 for a number of phrases. So, I thought that I would improve the page - make it even better. I did. I made it much better (more info, additional format). The result: CTR has been cut in half. Have I answered more questions, so that the visitor is less inclined to click on an ad? I think maybe so. It is too soon to say for sure, since there are so many variables. Keeping in mind that the MFAs achieve the highest CTR of all, because there is nothing there. On the other hand, the improved page should achieve even better ranking (by gaining more links), resulting in more traffic, and more clicks, and perhaps better (higher paying) advertisers. Or have I outsmarted myself, kinda like the old adage. "We lose a little on each sale, but we make it up in volume." Am I in the publisher game to "produce quality output" (ego driven), or am I in it "for the money" (income driven)? I'm afraid it is both. I guess each publisher has to decide where to place the "slider." 1. Quality . . . X . . . . . . . . Money, or 2. Quality . . . . . . . . X . . . Money This one sucks (because it is unsustainable): 3. Quality X . . . . . . . . . . . Money This one sucks (because you have no integrity): 4. Quality . . . . . . . . . . . X Money I keep going back and forth between #1 and #2. How about you? Grab the money and run? Or create top-notch content, the money be damned? That's why we have Wall Street brokers, and college professors. Enough philosophical BS for today.
I've known many people stuck in this balancing game between high quality content that brings in traffic and low quality content that makes visitors want more information that might be found by clicking on the ads. In the long run, you're better off with better content. I know you want to leave them wanting more, but you've also got to consider that you could bring in more traffic and get more links if YOU provide your visitors with that extra info. Once you've got your quality content up, then you can make the tweaks to ad placements and such that will boost CTR.
Fairyoflove - I have never made an MFA page, but I have sure thought about it. Davewasher - Yeah. I agree. I think I will always be poor.
Why not have some of both? High value, quality content to please readers and gain links, plus filler-type longtail keyword articles to get the click-throughs.
It will be better to have the more informative page. That will help you to gain more links and your rankings and authority will increase and in long term you will be able to rank for more competitive terms as well as increasing the over all authority of your site. Always remember : Let your aim and google's aim be one : The best site ranks at the top You work on making your site better and google will work on ranking your site Dont thing short term, do long term planning
WorldImpulse - Yeah. You're right. Of course you're right. But I just feel kinda stupid cutting my own throat in the short term. That's why I started this post. Do better, and get less money. Knowingly. But the long term is really the way to go. OK. I'll shut up now. I feel better. trichnosis - I never use more than one ad block, each with only 3 ads. I think you are right. DonnaReed - I was a BIG fan. Pretty, smart, AND sweet. What would she have done? Of course, she was rich, which makes it much easier to take the moral high ground. I always want to, but I have to get money. Ahh, the tyranny of poverty. I thought I said I would shut up.