What do you think the futer of Images near Adsense. I really don't think Advertisers like or approve of this type of "Click-Fraud" being used. Why? Because people are clicking and be drawn becasue they like the image and the top Title Rather than the Title and Description and Url. Let me know what you think.
You guys are forgetting that the advertisers are WANTING clicks. If the image is what it takes to get someone's attention on the ad and then they see something they like in the ad unit, it's beneficial to all parties. Advertisers have more to worry about in the form of click fraud, click groups and Adsense newbies looking to exploit the system. I have an annoying enough time getting people to click on my AdWords ads (despite the fact they do extremely well in search) in extremely niche areas, if an image next to an adunit is what it takes for me to get another conversion, then so be it.
so you are saying there is no future for the video ads as i am sure it draws people to look at it, then again you have ads that are image so whats the difference.
www.heatarcade.com - I asked 5 people in my family where they would click to play games. They all said they'd click the top optimized ad because of the image and the text 'Free online games'. As said, this means it's beneficial for me and the advertiser who is wanting clicks because he will get his games played.
I kind of like ads with images but does Adsense ToS not say that it's not allowed to incite visitors to click on ads and does adding images not just do that ? I think it's a thin line ;o)
IMO nothing is going to happen. I don't know why people have problem with this(people say it's violation of TOS as you are seeking attention). A person is only going to click on the ad until he find it interesting and relevant.