Higher CTR XFactor Sites

[misterkailo]

I know XFactor talks about placing just 1 ad unit on your site (above the fold), and an optional 1 link unit on the sidebar, but I have been trying out 3 ad units and 3 link units for the past month.

I have noticed a higher CTR while maintaining almost the same amount of cost per click. Based on my own findings, I DON'T believe that placing more AdSense ads on the site would drive the cost per click down.

Also, I use #000080 (navy blue) instead of the standard #0000FF blue, and #cccccc for both the description and the url.

[Clyde]

What's your CTR? and from how many impressions.

Post/PM this then we can talk.

[dburk]

Hi misterkailo,

You have the right idea about testing. What works best on one site does not necessarily transfer to the next site. You need to test each topic to find the optimal placements. Having said that, your testing method may not give you accurate information.

Using anecdotal evidence will lead to many incorrect assumptions. The increase you experienced may have been double if you hadn't changed the layout. There are so many other external factors that will cause your EPC and CTR to spike or dip for a period of time.

The best approach is to run A/B split tests that are sustained over a period of time. Testing both layouts during the same time period will tend to give you much more reliable data.

[Tom Goodwin]

Originally Posted by misterkailo

I know XFactor talks about placing just 1 ad unit on your site (above the fold), and an optional 1 link unit on the sidebar, but I have been trying out 3 ad units and 3 link units for the past month.

I have noticed a higher CTR while maintaining almost the same amount of cost per click. Based on my own findings, I DON'T believe that placing more AdSense ads on the site would drive the cost per click down.

Personally, my feeling is it all boils down to the competition for that keyword by advertisers, and the # of advertisers for that keyword.

A keyword with fierce competition by 20+ advertisers for advertising rights will likely not show a huge decrease in average cost per click when you increase the number of ad slots on your page. BUT, if you only have competition by 8 advertisers, I would think that the average cost per click would go way down.

[misterkailo]

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi misterkailo,

You have the right idea about testing. What works best on one site does not necessarily transfer to the next site. You need to test each topic to find the optimal placements. Having said that, your testing method may not give you accurate information.

Using anecdotal evidence will lead to many incorrect assumptions. The increase you experienced may have been double if you hadn't changed the layout. There are so many other external factors that will cause your EPC and CTR to spike or dip for a period of time.

The best approach is to run A/B split tests that are sustained over a period of time. Testing both layouts during the same time period will tend to give you much more reliable data.

Sorry for the confusion. The color schemes that I have been using were way before I started adding additional ads. Some of my sites remained unchanged in the average of CTR. Regardless, my CTR average has been sitting between 22-23%.

I might try other ways to test, but I am very satisfied with the CTR right now.

[SyndicateMarketing]

I use 3 ad blocks on XFactor style websites. I receive 5eur+ clicks everyday. Can't be unhappy

[inter123]

Is there any way to find out how many advertisers are competing for a keyword? It seems sometimes in niche markets there is no 'exact match' ads available.

Stupid example: if you are looking to do a site for 'red shorts' there might not be anybody wanting to advertise 'red shorts' but plenty advertising 'shorts' or 'clothes'.

If there are advertisers competing for 'red shorts' its going to make life easier: a big neon blue ad that says 'red shorts' is going to definately more likely to get a click then 'largest online clothes retailer' or something.

Originally Posted by Tom Goodwin

Personally, my feeling is it all boils down to the competition for that keyword by advertisers, and the # of advertisers for that keyword.

[misterkailo]

Originally Posted by inter123

Is there any way to find out how many advertisers are competing for a keyword? It seems sometimes in niche markets there is no 'exact match' ads available.

Stupid example: if you are looking to do a site for 'red shorts' there might not be anybody wanting to advertise 'red shorts' but plenty advertising 'shorts' or 'clothes'.

If there are advertisers competing for 'red shorts' its going to make life easier: a big neon blue ad that says 'red shorts' is going to definately more likely to get a click then 'largest online clothes retailer' or something.

In content network (publishers like us), rarely would you get something as specific as "red shorts". In Google search, you would see plenty of red shorts ads on the side. For us, you will most likely just see clothes in general.

[warriorkay]

Like I always say to people...

Do what WORKS for you,

Kingsley

[inter123]

When I put more adsense ads, the click though went through to 20% on a bad day. Which is fanstastic, but it kind of looks like MAF site with Adsense the highlight and is in the face of the viewer at all times.

I love the fact that click through is high and more money. But thinking perhaps should not be so greedy as it kind of gives the impression of MAF. Its a shame google is not prepared to give proper guidelines (perhaps they do and IM folk try to see what extremes they can go to).

Was watching an Adsense placement webinar recently, big block on the top and skyscraper in the menu was advocated / advised but nothing else.