Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo?

John Williamson · 08-21-2010, 09:57 PM

I've heard all sorts of different opinions on whether to use just text ads for your Adsense blocks or the text/image option. Anybody got any experience/insight or done any split testing with this? I'd be very interested to see which option brings in more revenue and has a higher CTR. Thanks in advance.

- John

Rock Solid · 08-21-2010, 10:42 PM

I've found a exponentially higher CTR with text only. I think this mainly is browsers develop advertising blindness for all ads, but particularly image ads. With text ads you have a bit of flexibility over placement and integration within the site.

yukon · 08-21-2010, 10:46 PM

2.5 years text Ads have always worked better for me, with a higher CTR.

Blend the text Ads with your site links/Nav.

John Williamson · 08-22-2010, 04:12 PM

Thanks for confirming my assumption, guys.

howinfo · 08-22-2010, 06:23 PM

I have also heard that image ads are not that good due to ad blindness so I have not even really tried them. I did try out a Wide Skyscraper (160x600 text only) in left side column and it performed very poorly so just out of curiosity I replaced it with Wide Skyscraper (160x600 image only) and I have had it for a week now and it is doing really well.

The Small Square (200 x 200) which is on the left and corner on top of the every article and is the best earner at the moment is actually set to display text and images both but I have never seen it to display any images for some reason.

HCLee · 08-23-2010, 02:01 AM

I used the big ad block (336X280) as well as the link unit (120X90) but it all depends on your own website - the look and feel of it. If a skyscraper looks good in it that's OK, as long as it does not look like a MFA site if you do not have much content.

willsmith · 08-23-2010, 10:54 AM

I have been personally contacted by the adsense team more than once recommending that I use the text/image ad option. After testing on three separate occasions my experience was that displaying the image ads had a huge negative impact averaging over 66% drop in ctr versus displaying text ads only.

Image ads are a disaster on my website, but your website may get better mileage out of them than mine does. You will never know until you actually test and compile statistical results. The problem is that no two websites will ever respond in the same way, so blanket advice to avoid image ads could be wrong for your website. Test and find out for yourself, otherwise you are just guessing.

Will

yukon · 08-23-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willsmith

I have been personally contacted by the adsense team more than once recommending that I use the text/image ad option. After testing on three separate occasions my experience was that displaying the image ads had a huge negative impact averaging over 66% drop in ctr versus displaying text ads only.

Image ads are a disaster on my website, but your website may get better mileage out of them than mine does. You will never know until you actually test and compile statistical results. The problem is that no two websites will ever respond in the same way, so blanket advice to avoid image ads could be wrong for your website. Test and find out for yourself, otherwise you are just guessing.

Will

I hear ya...

I did the same thing, I tried the image Ads several times over the years & never had any luck.

Then again I setup all my text Ads so they look like the regular site links, so maybe that's why I get better CTR with text Ads.

rahulr · 08-23-2010, 02:00 PM

Text ads gets good CPC and i prefer them.

08-21-2010, 09:57 PM	#1
John Williamson The Mathematical Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 1,639 Thanks: 143 Thanked 283 Times in 185 Posts	Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? I've heard all sorts of different opinions on whether to use just text ads for your Adsense blocks or the text/image option. Anybody got any experience/insight or done any split testing with this? I'd be very interested to see which option brings in more revenue and has a higher CTR. Thanks in advance. - John
	The Google Adwords Keyword Tool is hiding your valuable keywords! My personal review of Jack Duncan's Keyword Sniper Pro Adsense niche site success & boosted rankings - Clickbump Engine & Clickbump SEO

08-21-2010, 10:42 PM	#2
Rock Solid Master Media Maven War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 326 Thanks: 21 Thanked 27 Times in 27 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? I've found a exponentially higher CTR with text only. I think this mainly is browsers develop advertising blindness for all ads, but particularly image ads. With text ads you have a bit of flexibility over placement and integration within the site.

08-21-2010, 10:46 PM	#3
yukon SEO Strategist War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 6,531 Thanks: 355 Thanked 1,992 Times in 1,273 Posts	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? 2.5 years text Ads have always worked better for me, with a higher CTR. Blend the text Ads with your site links/Nav.
	- SEO Strategist -

08-22-2010, 04:12 PM	#4
John Williamson The Mathematical Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 1,639 Thanks: 143 Thanked 283 Times in 185 Posts	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? Thanks for confirming my assumption, guys.
	The Google Adwords Keyword Tool is hiding your valuable keywords! My personal review of Jack Duncan's Keyword Sniper Pro Adsense niche site success & boosted rankings - Clickbump Engine & Clickbump SEO

08-22-2010, 06:23 PM	#5
howinfo Advanced Warrior Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK Posts: 807 Thanks: 4 Thanked 94 Times in 88 Posts Social Networking	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? I have also heard that image ads are not that good due to ad blindness so I have not even really tried them. I did try out a Wide Skyscraper (160x600 text only) in left side column and it performed very poorly so just out of curiosity I replaced it with Wide Skyscraper (160x600 image only) and I have had it for a week now and it is doing really well. The Small Square (200 x 200) which is on the left and corner on top of the every article and is the best earner at the moment is actually set to display text and images both but I have never seen it to display any images for some reason.
	Career Article Directory Get More Views for Your Articles Career Forum Ask Questions Find Answers Web How

08-23-2010, 02:01 AM	#6
HCLee HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 490 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? I used the big ad block (336X280) as well as the link unit (120X90) but it all depends on your own website - the look and feel of it. If a skyscraper looks good in it that's OK, as long as it does not look like a MFA site if you do not have much content.
	Learn Affiliate Marketing and Find out How I Make Money Using Simple Methods That You Can Use From Anywhere In The World.

08-23-2010, 10:54 AM	#7
willsmith Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Gone Fishing Posts: 78 Thanks: 17 Thanked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? I have been personally contacted by the adsense team more than once recommending that I use the text/image ad option. After testing on three separate occasions my experience was that displaying the image ads had a huge negative impact averaging over 66% drop in ctr versus displaying text ads only. Image ads are a disaster on my website, but your website may get better mileage out of them than mine does. You will never know until you actually test and compile statistical results. The problem is that no two websites will ever respond in the same way, so blanket advice to avoid image ads could be wrong for your website. Test and find out for yourself, otherwise you are just guessing. Will

08-23-2010, 02:00 PM	#9
rahulr HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: India Posts: 104 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Adsense - strictly text ads or text/image ad combo? Text ads gets good CPC and i prefer them.
	{$5 ONLY}750 word article written on your keyword. GET IT NOW -http://goo.gl/gXH4m