Adsense - Test with Text/Image Ad Mix - My CPC Soared When I Did!

[bhuff85]

I don't know why I never used a mix of text/image ads previously, but after logging into my Adsense account last night with a message from Google encouraging me to make a change to text/image ads on one of my sites that earns a good amount of cash ($20 to $25 per day), I figured why not?

So, I went ahead and made the change last night, and my earnings have increased quite a bit! I'm also testing on a few other sites as well to see if I can experience the same increase.

I guess the reason I never made the switch to both text/image ads was for the fact that I didn't think there would be many good image ads for this one particular site. Apparently I was wrong. I plan to keep an eye on this over the next few days to see just how much it does increase my daily income overall.

Google claims that most people see an average increase of 4402% in eCPM earnings when going this route - yes, over 4,000 percent! So, if it continues to remain steady, this site could earn almost double. No arguments there

If any of you haven't yet, give the text/image ad mix a shot. You may be surprised at the result.

[WealthWithin]

I think it's 421%, not 4000.

I got the same message yesterday. I might give it a try as well.

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by WealthWithin

I think it's 421%, not 4000.

I got the same message yesterday. I might give it a try as well.

Re-check that same message. Definitely says 4402%, not 421%. Whether that's true or not, that's EXACTLY what I see on the there.

Regardless, my earnings have significantly increased, but I still plan to keep an eye on it to see how much of a difference it does make.

[That Guy]

Wow... Going to be trying this today. Hope to see some change in tomorrow's income. Best case scenario I reach a new record of 6 clicks in one day.

[MaverickUK]

For those who aren't aware as to why your CPC may rise when changing from text only to text and images, it's due to the bidding from advertisers. If you only have text ads then only advertisers who are advertising via text ads are bidding for the spot on any given website.

When you add images to the mix, this gives more inventory and increases the number of advertisers bidding, therefore raising the CPC in return.

[bummed.out]

On the note of image-based ads (did I ask this somewhere before? Sorry if I did...), does anyone have thoughts about running them on non-product specific sites?

For example, I publish informational sites on a variety of health and disease topics; would (in your opinion or experience) mixing my "Skyscraper" format ad block on the side of the page with both text and image ads detract from the validity of the content presented on the site? I find text based ads more "low key", not meaning that they get no clicks, but that they blend in more nicely.

Just curious about your thoughts...

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by MaverickUK

For those who aren't aware as to why your CPC may rise when changing from text only to text and images, it's due to the bidding from advertisers. If you only have text ads then only advertisers who are advertising via text ads are bidding for the spot on any given website.

When you add images to the mix, this gives more inventory and increases the number of advertisers bidding, therefore raising the CPC in return.

Right - I guess my thing was I didn't think there were enough targeted image ads available in my niche that people would click on, so this time the results worked out in my favor.

[MaverickUK]

Originally Posted by bummed.out

On the note of image-based ads (did I ask this somewhere before? Sorry if I did...), does anyone have thoughts about running them on non-product specific sites?

For example, I publish informational sites on a variety of health and disease topics; would (in your opinion or experience) mixing my "Skyscraper" format ad block on the side of the page with both text and image ads detract from the validity of the content presented on the site? I find text based ads more "low key", not meaning that they get no clicks, but that they blend in more nicely.

Just curious about your thoughts...

No, not in my opinion. I own an information website based around a phone and haven't found that it does what you are worried about above. Images blend in fine on my site as i have an image on each and every post (a 250x250 thumbnail).

[paulgl]

You beat me to it. I keep getting messages from google about
how I am losing money and should change to image and text.

Got that message again last evening.

I decided yesterday to actually go the extreme.

I deleted all domains in the competitive ad filter and turned
everything to image and text. I'm doing 40% more than
yesterday, and the day aint over. I'm a happy camper
so far.

Coincidence? We'll see. The thing is, the first day of the month
normally is my biggest day of the month.

I decided to let google choose what ads show on my sites.

I had been one to really push the competitive ad filter. I may
have to rethink that one as well.

Paul

[yukon]

I've been getting the same Google emails, the last one was targeted to one specific site I own, saying 76 pages could be monetized better (LOL). Really? When is enough, actually enough?

Testing never stops with Adsense.

I'm starting to believe that everytime I change an Adsense Admin. setting it triggers something to return better Adsense ADs.

You have to figure, every single min. of the day Adwords clients come & go, it never stops...

[scruffy77]

Hey can you tell me your ad placement and or what your website link is so I can check it out? Thanks

[paulgl]

Originally Posted by yukon

Testing never stops with Adsense.

You got that right. That email gave the rundown on how to do it
globally, after yes, mentioning it for one page.

This time I was going to do a real test. The extreme test.
No ad blocking, all text and image.

Let's see what google has to offer!

Paul

[Blakers]

I also got the email last night and went ahead and switched over to text/image mix. While my traffic is lower than usual today, my CTR is about 3.5% higher than it was before. I really should have been doing this from the start. Hopefully I will continue at this higher pace.

[JoshuaG]

I'm really surprised to see some of the bigger fish here on WF didn't know this would likely increase their revenue. I consider myself a small fish but have covered this and many other ways to optimize for AdSense in my WSO.

[mesmerist]

While this increase CPC, will it increase CTR? I read somewhere that people click on image ads lesser than text ads?

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by mesmerist

While this increase CPC, will it increase CTR? I read somewhere that people click on image ads lesser than text ads?

My CTR seems to be hovering around the usual average for the site I made the switch to, while revenue increased today around 30% give or take.

I've just really never gave image ads a fair chance after expirementing with them awhile back when I first started dabbling in Adsense. One of my sites would always trigger ads that weren't really geared towards the overall theme, so I shut them off and stuck to text only ads.

[treezie]

I did not get the e-mail but I will be making the switch anyway. I have a 336x280 that floats right in the content. Do you guys find that it is better to switch to a 250x250 when mixing text/image ads? I'm just worried that the 336x280 might look too weird or might not have enough advertisers. I am in the personal finance/credit niche.

[37375tn]

This is a general question about Adsense asked by an Adsense newbie:

I am in the process of building several web sites monetizing them primarily with Adsense ads… the Adsense ads on several of my sites aren't always subject appropriate for the site and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong?… horse ads on fitness site, exercise ads on my horse site, etc. etc. All of my HTML code is coming from the same long list of ads I created in my Adsense account that I thought I was creating specifically for each site?… does Google analyze/crawl each site to determine what ad subjects to display?... what can I do to make sure the ads address my subject matter? Here is an example:

survivalgearchecklist (dot) net <<< has ads for horses seemingly responding to my whatisaquarterhorse (dot) com site?

Any help would be appreciated.

Davis Mauldin
Wanting to learn

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by treezie

I did not get the e-mail but I will be making the switch anyway. I have a 336x280 that floats right in the content. Do you guys find that it is better to switch to a 250x250 when mixing text/image ads? I'm just worried that the 336x280 might look too weird or might not have enough advertisers. I am in the personal finance/credit niche.

I wouldn't know how to tell which image size had more ads then the other. I'm certain that advertisers use an array of different image sizes. Just play around with it and see what works best for you.

Originally Posted by 37375tn

This is a general question about Adsense asked by an Adsense newbie:

I am in the process of building several web sites monetizing them primarily with Adsense ads… the Adsense ads on several of my sites aren't always subject appropriate for the site and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong?… horse ads on fitness site, exercise ads on my horse site, etc. etc. All of my HTML code is coming from the same long list of ads I created in my Adsense account that I thought I was creating specifically for each site?… does Google analyze/crawl each site to determine what ad subjects to display?... what can I do to make sure the ads address my subject matter? Here is an example:

survivalgearchecklist (dot) net <<< has ads for horses seemingly responding to my whatisaquarterhorse (dot) com site?

Any help would be appreciated.

Davis Mauldin
Wanting to learn

Yeah - there are times when the Adsense bot needs to crawl your site for relevant ad triggering. This happened to me on a brand new site that I put up. Took about 2 to 3 days before relevant ads started to show (up until that point, it was all Wordpress ads).

Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. Just give it a little time (especially if it's brand spanking new) and you'll eventually see relevant ads popping up.

[snwdrpangel]

Have you guys ever tried GumGum? I had a great experience with them in the past. GumGum [dot] com

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by snwdrpangel

Have you guys ever tried GumGum? I had a great experience with them in the past. GumGum [dot] com

I don't really use any other contextual networks. I choose to stick to Adsense so I'm not overloading it and can maximize my Adsense income.

On another note, looks like the text/image blend is working better than ever. I've already doubled my average daily income for one of my biggest earning sites and it's only 2PM CST here in the Midwest. Looks like I'll be sticking with the text/image blend from here on out. Can't argue with that

[nrhopkins]

I got that also. Seems strange to me. Just a few months back I was reading numerous studies that were recently done(can see if I can find them if you guys would like to take a look) done on ads and ad placement.

After reading all of the studies, they all pretty much said the same thing: Text ads only. I wonder if Google has come across some new research?

They called it Banner Blindness. People seem to just pass right over the banners unnoticed. ESPECIALLY if they don't flow with your site.

Interesting, I just switch one of my skyscrapers to text/image so i'll be posting my results soon!

[paulgl]

It's not any new research, and nothing new from google.

They keep trying to get people to do image and text, because it
makes them (and theoretically you) more money. The more
businesses in on the auction, the higher the prices will be for
ads.

BUT....many people realize, after testing, they get more clicks on
text ads. So they shy away from images. Or else they just
believe the hype of someone else without doing any testing.

Paul

[Deltia]

Might try something similar and switch to image only.

I had about 200+ views with about 6 clicks for text and then i checked and i had 11 views of images and 8 clicks.

May be that particular niche is very click happy when they see images or just a fluke. suppose i better go and find out

[Blakers]

Still seeing improved CTR since I switched to text/image ads. Gee, sometimes Google is trying to help.....help who?

[yukon]

Guys, you do realize that the emails that Google is sending out are automated, right?

All their doing is counting Ads (Image + Text) & checking If your web pages are maxed-out.

Just because Google says you should have your page filled with the maximum number of Adsense Ads possible, doesn't make it right for your site/pages/traffic.

No two sites/traffic are ever the same, so an automated email isn't much help.

[Blakers]

Yes, I do realize that as many people have mentioned receiving the email from them around the same time. I'm just stating that it has helped my sites from making the switch.

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by yukon

Guys, you do realize that the emails that Google is sending out are automated, right?

All their doing is counting Ads (Image + Text) & checking If your web pages are maxed-out.

Just because Google says you should have your page filled with the maximum number of Adsense Ads possible, doesn't make it right for your site/pages/traffic.

No two sites/traffic are ever the same, so an automated email isn't much help.

Automated or not, it sure shot my earnings up these last three days. I did make the change on a couple more sites and started to see an increase on those as well, but on the main site that they suggested, earnings are through the roof and it appears to be consistent now. We're talking about this ONE site going from $20-$25 per day to $50+ per day. Either way, I'm just glad I made the switch.

[36burrows]

Yeah I've been getting these emails from G as well. This is an interesting thread, thanks!

[verbs]

I've been making far more money with my one large 468 width ad by switching to a mix of both. This ad is probably bringing me in twice the revenue since the switch.

[Muhammadgulzarji]

yes google has right and earning will automaticaly increse when u use images ads.

[WealthWithin]

ok, I've updated the block from text to image/text on the site they've suggested.

Let's see if I can report a significant improvement.

[thebitbotdotcom]

Google has stated before that they maximize revenue for themselves and their publishers with the split ads like that. My understanding is that they push whichever has the highest CPC. Sometimes it is the Image Ads. Sometimes its the text ads.

[Josh MacDonald]

Originally Posted by bhuff85

So, if it continues to remain steady, this site could earn almost double.

I thought it was supposed to increase 4000%, not 200%.

[That Guy]

So I've been using this method for a couple days and I have to say that I've experienced a significant change in my earnings. My CTR and earnings have both doubled from ~1.5% CTR to ~3.5% CTR. Also for those three days that I've tested the "text & image" ads, I've been consistently making $2/day instead of $1/day.

Really liking the results so far, hope they last!

[WealthWithin]

24hr results:

CPC up by avg. $0.10
CTR down by avg. 5+%
Avg eCPM down by $20+ (2nd lowest number in last 30 days!!)

Maybe we should wait at least a week or so to conclude data. But I think I'll go back to my old setup.

The CPC went up but CTR went down. So they were right, it increased the competition in the ad auction. But either the image ads sucked or people got ad blind to them.

So the conclusion is, when Google says something, always test to make sure if it'll work for you or not.

[bhuff85]

Originally Posted by WealthWithin

24hr results:

CPC up by avg. $0.10
CTR down by avg. 5+%
Avg eCPM down by $20+ (2nd lowest number in last 30 days!!)

Maybe we should wait at least a week or so to conclude data. But I think I'll go back to my old setup.

The CPC went up but CTR went down. So they were right, it increased the competition in the ad auction. But either the image ads sucked or people got ad blind to them.

So the conclusion is, when Google says something, always test to make sure if it'll work for you or not.

At least you tested it and gave it a shot. On some of my other sites, I didn't see a huge increase, either. On my biggest earner though, CTR stayed the same and CPC has consistently been MUCH higher. Earnings are still hovering around $50 per day on average since the change.

[BabyMama]

Nice one congrats! I also like to use text and image ads on my sites. I find they convert very well. They really stand out in a block of content.

[keblack]

Anyone received the message within their adsense account to increase the number of ads on each page of a site ? I thought that just one 336x280 ad on each page would give the most revenue per click, but not sure if the revenue would increase with 2 or 3 ads. I may have to test this for a few weeks. Anyone else experience this ?

[paulgl]

Originally Posted by keblack

Anyone received the message within their adsense account to increase the number of ads on each page of a site ? I thought that just one 336x280 ad on each page would give the most revenue per click, but not sure if the revenue would increase with 2 or 3 ads. I may have to test this for a few weeks. Anyone else experience this ?

Google wants you to use all 3. They make more, you make more.
Theoretically.

The more ads you have, the more potential bidders you will have. The
higher priced ads you will get. If people knew how adwords works,
and the auction, they would readily put all 3 blocks.

If you have one ad block, you are potentially opening that one
ad slot to only ONE adwords user, as one could get the whole block.

BUT...if this was a top QS adwords user, they would be paying a whole
lot less than a lower QS would be bidding. By putting more ad blocks,
you open your page up to those adwords users who MUST pay more to
get an ad to show.

Paul

[keblack]

Wow Paul, I never heard it explained that way before. I think you may be a genius !

[medicareprodct]

Well, I didn't try it image ads yet. But after reading all the post i think i should try.
My question is that image ads would be effective for me because my site is ecommerce shopping site of medical equipment...Any suggestion???

[jlady]

I had text/images and was getting low ctr and low cpc and switched to text only and still low cpc not noticing a big difference in ctr I was following xfactor method and he says text ads only???

[arnold55]

thanx and sounds great!!!
what is the best converting image ad size? 250x250? or......

arnold55

[James-]

The more ads you have, the more potential bidders you will have. The
higher priced ads you will get. If people knew how adwords works,
and the auction, they would readily put all 3 blocks.

If you have one ad block, you are potentially opening that one
ad slot to only ONE adwords user, as one could get the whole block.

BUT...if this was a top QS adwords user, they would be paying a whole
lot less than a lower QS would be bidding. By putting more ad blocks,
you open your page up to those adwords users who MUST pay more to
get an ad to show.

Paul

That is true, but also by allowing more ads, you are also allowing people who cannot afford a larger CPC access on your site as you are opening up more slots. So although you may be displaying higher CPC ads, you may also be showing much lower ones.

I may be wrong here, but this is how i have experienced it. I have a page with one ad on that gets on average £0.25 CPC. The same page with 2 ads on gets around £0.16 a click.

[xxxJamesxxx]

Thanks for the heads up on this... I'll defo try this out - seems like an easy way of making more money with no additional effort!

James Scholes