Google AdSense

[petey]

ok thanks Eric. Better not upset the big G.

[seymourjames]

I am going to get howls of don't do this as it is not expected web site behavior but done subtly it works well.

One technique which most adsensers use is to have certain types of pages open in completely new windows using target="blank". The original page remains open too.

For example, you could code to make only ads from certain categories or types come up in their own window with adsense on it while others do not. Another technique is don't see what you want here (say an empty search results page or category) then click here to find alternatives - another page comes up with adsense on it (keep in mind this new page should have some content on it of value and not just be adsense blocks - adsense takes a dim view of that - you are adding no value they make that clear in their terms of service as well). Another technique is to put something in your main menu which attracts people. They click this link and it brings up a new page which has interesting content on it and adsense of course. A final technique which works well is that after someone has placed an advert or made a contact, show them some adsense or push some affiliates.

All this relies on the ability to test for different circumstances that your visitor arrives at.

With all of this though, your current advertisers if they are paying are unlikely to approve in general unless it is done in a balanced way.

[Mike-N-Tosh]

Originally Posted by Eric Barnes

Just found this post about opening Adsense links in a new window.
How can I have Google AdSense ads open in a new window? :: Free Tech Support from Ask Dave Taylor!

I run all my advertising through my advertising server (openx), which you can set to open in a new window. This can be done on a zone by zone basis. I do it this way, because then I have my own stats and don't have to rely on what google says for the stats. I also then have stats on all ads run including the ads specific to my classifieds site.

-Mike

[seymourjames]

I run sites which make considerable adsense revenues including a 68C site where it has been a success. Be subtle, use good marketing techniques, keep within terms and ALL will be well. Don't ever underestimate google ad-sense or its ability to see you are cheating. The back-end of ad-sense including their monitoring is sophisticated.

Google analytics is also second to none. A module to embed and use that easily is just about to be released for that very soon. Watch this space as they say.

However for those which want a really nice tool to map out where people are clicking on their sites so they can optimise adsense use this Crazy Egg – visualize your visitors . It works and will take you all of 2 minutes to implement without needing to be an expert.

[petey]

To build on the last few posts I'm wondering if anyone has seen a connection between having adsense vs paid classifieds - i.e. as you plaster your site with more adsense/ad blocks does it p*ss off your advertisers - maybe even the free ones? Any look into this?

I'm thinking that a sidebar with adsense is probably acceptable and wouldn't affect conversions of free or paid ads. But add in a header 728x90 and maybe a footer with more ads might push them over the edge and they'll just bounce. Might also affect visitors looking at the ads...

Any comments?

[Eric Barnes]

I haven't done a lot of advertising on sites but here is what I have done before that was the most successful:
1. Use adsense in only one spot and make it look nice.
2. Use other affiliates and place them in important locations. I was running a motorcycle site so beside the price of the listing I would add an affiliate link to a finance company. Include an affiliate link to a shipping company. These two links made me way more money then adsense.

I personally feel most people now how to spot ads and ignore them. So by being subtle you can make more.

[seymourjames]

right on Eric. Pick your place.

What I can say is that some of my advertisers even blackmail me. I will give you 600e of advertising if you take that damm ad-sense banner of the top of my adverts. Of course I did. You can even make it a sales pitch . One type of advertiser gets adsense around his free advert and another who has paid does not.

A feel a module coming on - LOL.

[petey]

Great thread guys - thanks for the good discussion.

Here's something I'm trying now: based on the idea that the only way to be successful with a classifieds site is to make your advertisers successful.

I made a coupon for 100% off the premium listing. Limited it to a certain number and expiry date.

I emailed the members about it and allow just 1 per member.

I'm letting them use the coupons to have a taste for premium. Most of the savvy sellers who are selling new items are going for it. New members don't know about it so they carry on as normal - most get free listings.

The idea is that I may not make any $ for the next few weeks, but if any of those sellers make money with their ads, then I hope they'll be back to pay for very low priced premium ads AND give me testimonials.

It's like giving out the free cheese cubes at the deli - proven to work

Cheers.

[tdisraeli]

Originally Posted by Eric Barnes

I personally feel most people now how to spot ads and ignore them. So by being subtle you can make more.

You're right on Eric. I was recently contacted by a company out of the UK called that actually wants to insert harmless sentences (with a link) into the content on my site. Their motive is for the sentence to seem like it belongs in the article 100%.

[Mike-N-Tosh]

One other thing to mention here and I've not seen come up on any of the threads regarding Google Adsense is the simple fact that Adsense is not just text ads.

I select display ads for two of my zones in rotation with other advertisers. As the display ads from Adsense dont have the look & feel of the notorious Google text ads, they blend right in with any of my other display ads. Many of the display ads don't even have the google adsense mark at the bottom of them that all of the text ads do.

I do find that the display ads are much better on other pages than the home page for the classified site.

-Mike