Since Google raised the ad block limit from one per page, to two and later three, everyone decided it would be a good idea to take Google up on this and max out the number of ad blocks on their pages.
Not a good idea.
Remember that when you publish Google Adsense ads on your pages, Google is effectively syndicating their Adwords ads which is a pay per click ad network. In other words, the ads at the top (by and large) are there because the advertisers for those ads are paying more than the advertisers with ads at the bottom. (Yes, I realize that Google takes into account an ad’s click-through rate, but still the primary variable is bid price.)
So, if you max out the number of ad blocks on your page, you go from having 4 ads, assuming you’re using the large rectangle ad block, to 12. (4 ads per ad block and 3 blocks gives you 12 total ads.)
Now most people would think this is a good thing. After all, the more ads the more chances you have of getting a click, right?
Actually, that’s very very WRONG!
Not only do you get less clicks the more ads you have (according to my tests), you earn much less for every click you do get. And if you think about it, it makes sense. If the top ad on your page is pays you $0.60 per click, there’s a very good chance that the bottom 4 all pay less than $0.10. So what you’re really doing is trading higher-priced clicks for lower-priced clicks. Not good.
On virtually every page I’ve tested, 4 ads seems to be the sweet spot. Occasionally (especially in markets that have few advertisers), a 2 ad block pulls the best combination of earning per click (EPC) and click-through rate (CPC) which is exactly what you want.
So right now, if you’re running more than one ad block on your page, test that same page with just a single block. I’m betting you’ll make more money.
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June 4th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Yes, I agree less is better. I quit using Adsense all together though as they are very distracting from the actual content especially when put in the middle of the story like you have done. (No offense, your site….I don’t care what you do.)
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June 4th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Hey Jennifer,
Quitting Adsense totally is really leaving the money on the table. I suggest lesser ads to my readers because statistics has shown that with lesser ads there are more clicks surprisingly.
You may be blogging for the leisure but alot of people out there are actually blogging for money to pay their bills and make a living out of it. (No offense
)
I need my slice of pie from Adsense too.
Erwin
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June 4th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I personally have up to 3 ads in my sites for best performance. One header link unit, one in post / content ad unit and a side bar ad unit.
John Chow has also cover this topic as the bid gap in his latest eBook for make money online. Thanks for the info, Erwin
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June 4th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Hey KC,
Glad you like it.
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June 5th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Your right it may be taking money off the table. I agree.
Less is better I agree there too.
I make a part-time living blogging.
This is just my personal site.
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June 5th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Hey Jennifer,
It’s great to know more people like you who blog for a part-time living.
We are in the “Circle Of Entrepreneurs”
Erwin
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December 17th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I have one ad block on the top and one 300 on the right top i will try this method that you’ve recommended and give you the feedback. i just started blogging but if there’s money to be made from doing something just for leisure then i’m all about it
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