If you use Google AdSense, you may have noticed arrows on the ad unit.
Today’s Lesson
Just recently Google added two small arrows to their AdSense ads units.
What this does, is gives the potential ad clicker, more advertising options.
Whether a reader on a blog will notice these arrows is another question, so all may be for naught.
However if a visitor is looking closely at the AdSense ads, it could mean you’ll earn a few coins from a click.
I normally don’t use Google AdSense on this blog, so for those of you who don’t use AdSense, you can check out the arrow display on my Observation Mountain blog.
Today’s Assignment
If you use AdSense, had you noticed this arrow feature?
Do you think it could help to increase your AdSense earnings?
If you don’t use Google AdSense, will it convince to you start using it, knowing there are more ad options to generate revenue?
Photo Credit NOTICIAS-TIC’s photos
I can see it. I must admit that I gave up on Google Adsense because it was more hassle than it’s worth, and in fact I’ll take it off when I get a minute.
The account I has I think was suspended and now I think cancelled – purely because I hadn’t logged on and entered a pin number they had allegedly sent me in the post.
I requested re-sends, but still, none ever arrived.
It’s annoying, because what little was in the account has now gone I suspect.
P.S. I did have a look at your new blog of the week, but I didn’t get chance to comment or report back. It was a good personal story, and I did enjoy her amazing fortitude.
Ian Denny’s last blog post..You Are The Best – So Why Don’t New Clients Beat Down Your Door?
@ Ian, I got my PIN in the mail from Google last week, and I entered it on their site. I also verified my phone number. I don’t know why they have all these security measures, but it’s unfortunate that they won’t let you into your account.
@ Mark, many bloggers say that while AdSense isn’t the best advertising option, it’s a great way to start because it’s so easy. Some people, like you, have given up on it because of competing or unethical ads. You have some control over what ads are shown, but I’ve never looked into that.
@ Barbara, I did notice the arrows, but I’m not sure what to think. Theoretically, couldn’t they decrease ad revenue? Instead of just clicking on an ad, someone might click an arrow and then click on a lower paying ad. Or are the default ads always the highest-paying ones? Anyway, I doubt they’ll make any significant difference to ad revenue, though they might entertain visitors.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..A Simple Productivity System
When I was learning about blogging, I kept hearing about Adsense, and figured it was a must-have way to monetize a blog.
But then I put them on my blog, and within 5 minutes knew I had to remove them. They place competitor ads, ads contrary to my content – huge pain in the butt.
It was disappointing, but figured I could earn more money using a little imagination…
Mark – Creative Journey Cafe’s last blog post..Interview with Dale Stephanos
Hi Ian,
On AdSense, I had to request one resend, and then got a postcard in the mail with the pin number.
Thanks for checking out Akemi’s blog. I love her story. She’s a very brave girl and a real inspiration to many.
Hi Mark,
AdSense is not for every blog. Like you, I have not always liked the ads they put on my sites. Plus, I am signed up as an affiliate for LinkShare and Commission Junction and at times their ads were for the same thing I was reviewing.
Hi Hunter,
Yes, I had to do the telephone number reconfirmation also. It did seem like a lot of security measures, but I’m sure they have their reasons.
AdSense does have a “non-compete” feature. I tried it, but couldn’t get it to work right. I’m sure I did something wrong.
Re: the arrows. You could be right on lower revenues based on what ad gets clicked. It really depends on how the advertiser words their tagline and how enticing it is for a visitor.
I’ll be watching it and report back if I find anything out of the ordinary.
Hi John,
AdSense is definitely not for all blogs. And especially if you are selling something yourself, you certainly wouldn’t want a potential customer to go elsewhere (and AdSense does insert competing ads based on your keywords).
You’re right! With your site, you have put too much work into it, plus are promoting a business, to have an ad that pays a few cents distract you from your marketing goals, where you can earn much more.
I didn’t notice the arrows right away. I just saw the 2 ads and your social bookmarks. It wasn’t apparent to me what those arrows were for, nor did I see them.
I’ve never tired AdSense or Words – not for me, for now anyway. In the short time I have to capture my visitor’s attention I don’t want to waste any of it by them looking at someone else’s ad and possibly clicking away.
And I have to agree with Ian (even though I haven’t tried it yet), I think it’s more hassle than it’s worth and I can probably do far better focusing my time on other marketing strategies to make money.
. . . but like I said, what do I know? I haven’t really given it a test run yet.
John Hoff’s last blog post..Is Your Website Web 2.0 or Corporate?
I had AdSense on my blog but took it off because they were posting ads that weren’t relevant. I just added it back on to see if the arrows were there and they are and the ad is relevant too so I’ll keep it on again for awhile to see how it goes.
Maybe the ads changed because I haven’t drawn enough traffic. I don’t know. I haven’t had any revenue come from it anyway.
Good information you put out here Barbara. Always keeping us informed. I appreciate that.
(P.S. – I looked in your archives on how to add the Luv Link but never really figured out how to adapt it to those of us using Blogger. If anyone out there has been successful with this, I’d like to here how you did it.)
Pat R’s last blog post..We Are All One – Aren’t We?
Hi Pat,
I’ve experimented with AdSense off and on with this blog, and it seems to just give me “blogging” ads, but I’ll leave it on here for awhile too and see what happens. It supposedly matches your content (keywords), so with yours it will be interesting to watch as you change topics. Some claim they make a lot of money with AdSense, but I’m guessing they have high traffic and either a lot of ads or multiple sites.
Are you thinking of staying with Blogger? Hopefully if someone knows more about it and how to add the CommentLuv plugin, they will speak up.
Hi Deacon Bernie,
You did that perfectly.
I can click on your name and/or the CommentLuv link and it takes me right to your site. Great job!
Welcome to the community here at BWAB. Hope to see you here often. Best of luck with your new blogs.
Hello Barbara–this is deacon bernie experimenting tell me if this is linking–
god bless
b
Bernie Deschler’s last blog post..THE SHEPHERD
Some bloggers make money out of AdSense in their blogs but personally I think AdSense is more suited to niche sites with static and content where visitors enter don’t find what they were looking for and click. Thats why MFA became so popular but still good and informative static sites do well with AdSense or other networks like AdBrite. As for the arrows well I can’t really judge if visitors would pay attention for them. But personally I think most people will react more o what they see at hand than digging the ad unit.
Archie Penniess last blog post..AdSense Basics 3: Blending Ads with content
Hi Archie,
Welcome to the BWAB community.
I do agree, most people aren’t going to look THAT close at an ad (to click on the little arrows).
Hi Blogging Queen,
I don’t run AdSense on this site anymore, but when I checked my other blog, they’re still there. So far, on that blog, I’m okay with what they post.
Joel Comm does swear by AdSense. I guess he should know as he’s made tons of money with it.
I didn’t even notice the arrows – are they still there?
I don’t use AdSense and agree with Barbra, the ads they served up on my blog just didn’t always fit and I know it’s down to good optimization and keywords, but I’m finding it difficult to see the big benefits when Google seem to be making such a big thing of using semantics.
I’m sure Joel Comm will disagree with me but I’m okay living without the AdSense checks right now. Maybe one day.
The Blogging Queen’s last blog post..Is 3 Way Linking Acceptable to Google?
I just found out you could change the text today to be larger, and I tried it, but then the arrows were gone, strange…I dunno, will try again, seems rather glitchy for me.
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