I put two content leaderboards at the top and bottom of my pages, and one referral add block on the right. I don't use search adds. Are search adds worth it? What do they pay? are they popular?
I beg to differ, search boxes really prove valuable if you can manage to induce people into using them. For example: Bob visits your MFA page for some information - reads some content, and comes across the following text - "Still didn't find what you're looking for? Use Google Search!" *Google Search Box here* See, you just induced him to using Google for his search from your page, and he will obviously click on some result he finds there. If they're adverts, its your lucky day. I feel a search box just ads utility to your site, although the CTR and earnings are relatively less, its better to have something that nothing. Btw, ever thought of using a header image for your google search? PS: If you're getting clicks for those text ads, its always wise to keep the search box at the end of your page.