Make Money Online

Adsense Tricks That Increase Earnings

Friday, 07 March 2008

Update: A reply from Google about the background images tells me:

Publishers may not implement Google ads in a manner that disguises the ads in any way, for instance, by formatting neighboring content to look similar to the ads, or by making ads look like games or forum posts.

So where do you think that puts simple images that just slightly make the ads more noticeable without going overboard? I mean, a simple curvature around the ad like shown below or something similar doesn't fit that description if you ask me. The background code also does not alter the original Adsense code in any way. What do you think?

Original post:
Adsense has been doing poorly for me for the past couple months and frankly I thought about doing away with it completely. However, I may have found a trick that can potentially increase the CTR. Some say it's a violation of the TOS and some say it's in the grey area. I feel like there's nothing to lose at this point but if you decide to use this, it's totally up to you and there could be consequences(ie: Google emailing you to fix it, or worse case scenario, Google ban you from adsense and you run crying to YPN). They're called tricks for a reason - They can be quite tricky. But the rest of these are perfectly fine.

Decorate The Ads

Since ads are placed all over the internet, visitors have become blind to the same thing, so making them stand out and not looking like the same old ads by adding a background can help. I'm thinking this is ok if you use the right one. For instance, a flashing background or an image pointing to the Adsense would definitely be a violation to the terms. But images like these may be ok:
[images resized to fit on page]

Notice how these images look less like the ads that everyone seems to blind to these days? They can really stand out without actually having an animated finger pointing to the Adsense basically telling your visitors to click the ads. My CTR increased from .something% to about 4% within hours of trying this on one of my sites.

Code to add an Adsense background:
<table align="center" width="INSERT IMAGE WIDTH" height="INSERT IMAGE HEIGHT" border="0" background="INSERT IMAGE URL"> <tr><td width="INSERT IMAGE WIDTH" height="INSERT IMAGE HEIGHT"> <div align="center"> YOUR ADSENSE CODE HERE </div></td></tr> </table>

Put Them Where Clicks Take Place

I've seen many mistakes where people will put the ads at the bottom of the page completely naked to the human eye. Lets take forums for example. Adsense on forums is known not to do so well. But if you put it where lots of clicks take place then you'll be sure to get some clicks. Here's three places where you can place them to get a higher click through rate:

Below reply buttons

In your forum signature / all signatures of forum members(really dirty)

Under the main menu links

To Blend or Not To Blend?

Many many people will tell you to blend your ads in with your site. Use the same background color and the same link color, but does it work better? The best way to find out is to experiment. Common sense tells you that if something is blended in, then it's hard to see from the rest. But in the case of Adsense I would believe that it's best to make them look like links you've placed on the site yourself, but make sure they can stand out at the same time. Try placing a photo of yourself *kind of* close to the Adsense (as long as it isn't relevant to the ads) Maybe use a border or something. Then it will appear that those are links by the author of the article - You!

Link Colors

Ok so this isn't anything new to you experienced people but it needs to be said. Your sites link color is important. The standard blue link is what everyone knows as links. I know this site isn't based on blue link colors but I feel that red stands out enough. Although I could possibly do better with blue. The blue color is known to get clicked more. So use it!

Stuff It Inside The Posts

How much closer can you get? The article content is what the reader is focused on. So if the ads are right in there, then it's easy for the reader to see. Once again - They'll feel that the links are recommended by you, the article author.

Comments

#1 Ciprian
2008-03-0711:14:58
I don't think you're allowed to do that.

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#2 deepak
2008-03-0712:28:18
nice but i guess it has already been applied to many sites so visitors already know ..
#3 How to Webhost
2008-03-0713:20:57
Fantastic. Creative. Innovative. I haven't seen anything like this before. You're the first. Thanks.
#4 Airsoft Sniper Rifle
2008-03-0715:36:54
This might be against TOS…but it's a clever idea for sure.
#5 Chuckles
2008-03-0721:29:00
"You're the first." - :-*

Definitely not the first. Looks good, but probably a violation of TOS. Graphic gimmicks are clearly stated as a violation. This may be considered gimmick.
#6 Bilbo
2008-03-0721:30:40
Don't be surprised if you end up on the "I was banned for no reason" thread on DP.
#7 CashJuke
2008-03-0722:07:40

Quoting Bilbo:
Don't be surprised if you end up on the "I was banned for no reason" thread on DP.

Eh, like I said, it's totally up to the individual if they think they can get away with it. As far as for me, I'm just trying it out. And being banned from Adsense definitely wouldn't hurt my feelings. Lots of people may say "you'd regret it!" but I wouldn't actually :-) I strongly feel that Google will only notify you with a warning anyway. So I'm walking on thin ice and risking losing cents a day with Google. I'm going to talk to them and get more details. I think they accept something similar but, my ad is more on the dirty side I will admit
#8 Sudipto
2008-03-0822:43:26
It looks pretty attractive, but I doubt whether it will improve the CTR.
#9 free php hosting
2008-03-0907:52:56
That is very helpful info - bookmarked it. Thank you. :)
#10 Erica
2008-03-0912:10:12

Quoting Bilbo:
Don't be surprised if you end up on the "I was banned for no reason" thread on DP.

are you dumb? he's admitted that the background was a violation. why would he go to a dp thread and complain about being banned if he already admitted it. i don't think he's a 15 year old newb. this is good information and i dont think some of these backgrounds violate the terms at all
#11 Eugene
2008-03-1204:38:03
Nice thinking. Heck, worst case if you do get banned by Google you can always switch to YPN or Microsoft Adcenter. So nothing to lose right? haha.
#12 Dean Saliba
2008-03-1310:43:37
Nice trick. :)
#13 Ciprian
2008-03-1505:39:38
Here are some tips on how to earn money using adsense. This trick will just get you banned. That's my opinion.
#14 Ciprian
2008-03-1505:40:44
www.smoinge.com/.../...
#15 Tom
2008-03-2002:14:14
Great tips, thanks! AdSense is great, but lately I've been making more with Chitika. In fact, over the last year I compiled some statistics of my earnings and I actually earned twice as much with Chitika compared to AdSense. For those of you curious about Chitika, check out this Chitika review for some more info.
#16 asiya begum
2008-04-0108:42:19
i think this was a use ful information on my website there is many information as adsense earning and how to make mony from home
#17 aad
2008-04-0402:00:31
Against TOS!
#18 Webmaster Resources
2008-04-1904:41:33
I'd say, its a pretty risky thing.
Though the trick will surely bring a lot attention.
#19 Cape Coast HOOPS
2008-05-2006:15:01
some are cool suggestions.