29 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
29 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Just Released from Google - Important for sites w/ Ads

by nmh
23 replies
Just read this from the blog...

"As we've mentioned previously, we've heard complaints from users that if they click on a result and it's difficult to find the actual content, they aren't happy with the experience. Rather than scrolling down the page past a slew of ads, users want to see content right away. So sites that don't have much content "above-the-fold" can be affected by this change. If you click on a website and the part of the website you see first either doesn't have a lot of visible content above-the-fold or dedicates a large fraction of the site's initial screen real estate to ads, that's not a very good user experience. Such sites may not rank as highly going forward."

You can see the rest here but wanted to give everyone a heads up! Official Google Webmaster Central Blog
#ads #google #important #released #sites #w or
  • Profile picture of the author dsouravs
    Good decision by Goog.
    Signature

    I can convert your Non-Responsive website to Responsive website ... How sweet is that? :)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5456806].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
      The website with the worst user experience in showing virtually all ads above the fold is Google.

      The irony about this announcement is unbelievable.

      .
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5456832].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
        Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

        The website with the worst user experience in showing virtually all ads above the fold is Google.

        The irony about this announcement is unbelievable.

        .
        I just looked through my browser history and found all of the Google searches I made. I visited lots of them and found that most of them had no ads whatsoever. Those that did have ads had very few.

        Google is pretty good about ad placement. The ads are usually relevant to what I search for. They provide a good search service and I don't mind seeing some ads in return for getting really good search results for free.
        Signature

        :)

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5459998].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
      Last month they sent emails advising Adsense users to place ADS above the fold.

      Now they ask them to remove them.

      Ahahha

      Poor Google. What a way to go down... Does anyone still use Adcent?

      :p
      Signature
      People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5456856].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author princecapri
    Its funny coming from Google, seeing how they give preference to ads over search terms in Google search. Plus, ads shown in search are much better source for adsense revenue
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5456828].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
    In a nutshell...

    "We load our site with ads above the post, but you can't."
    Signature

    Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5457488].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author fluffythewondercat
    That Larry Page, what a stellar manager he is, making sure all his departments are on the same page. I'm not sure it matters anyway; Google's arrogance is overweening.

    There's an article on CNN yesterday where Page gushes about Google being a family. It's so full of distortions I fell out of my chair laughing.

    "Family"! Google employees and contractors are under orders that if they see Page or Brin on the campus, they are not to speak to them unless the employee is spoken to first.

    Imperious much?

    fLufF
    --
    Signature
    Fiverr is looking for freelance writers for its blog. Details here.
    Love microjobs? Work when you want and get paid in cash the same day!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5457598].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Not really Fluff - on work hours these people can't be bogged down with employees with issues that are best served elsewhere or with idle chatter just to get attention from the big guys. They have to remain focused. After work, if someone sees them in a casual atmosphere there is no problem with chatting with them.

    I lived right across the river from the Dalles for awhile. I have been to the Dalles Google property. People were very happy there. They can take their dogs to work if they want, they have all sorts of amenities there. It's still a corporation and work, but the atmosphere is extremely casual. They even rent local goat herds to mow their extensive fields.

    It's a high tech center and the people there are extreme in skills and intelligence, yet there is none of the gestapo atmosphere you will find in the data centers such as Microsoft's in Quincy, WA where everything looks and feels like it's run by Nazis. Can't get in the front door without buzzing in, can't talk to ANYONE there other than a security guard unless they have orders to chauffeur you in somewhere. No windows. No campus. No perks. I realize the need for security - but those employees have work environments I wouldn't be able to tolerate.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5457761].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jficarro
    I think it's scary how much we depend on Google. But it does bug me that there is a certain site that has always outranked me and it's just ads until the bottom of the page where you get a bunch of links to inner pages that are just ads until you get to the bottom.

    I try to make my sites useful and really good for the user, yet I'm outranked by a site like that (he's a friend of mine - so I don't want to get too harsh :0)

    Google is a bit strange, very arrogant, totally awesome, frustrating, and unavoidable. uggggggh.

    I'm pretty sure if the G wanted to, it could shut the world down with a few clicks. That's scary. Oh and by the way.... don't forget to circle me on Google+ LOL LOL... no serious. do it.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5457890].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author E. Brian Rose
      Originally Posted by jficarro View Post


      Google is a bit strange, very arrogant, totally awesome, frustrating, and unavoidable. uggggggh.
      That is one of the best descriptions of Google that I have seen so far.
      Signature

      Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5457984].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author fluffythewondercat
        Frank, I agree with you: I don't have any ads above the fold because I want to suck people into my blog.

        But that's not the point. The point is that this is yet more manipulation by threat of punishment (dropping your rank) while at the same time the AdSense folks have recommended putting ads above the fold because they can see what works.

        I don't blame people for feeling a little whipsawed.

        fLufF
        --
        Signature
        Fiverr is looking for freelance writers for its blog. Details here.
        Love microjobs? Work when you want and get paid in cash the same day!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5458057].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
          Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat View Post

          But that's not the point. The point is that this is yet more manipulation by threat of punishment (dropping your rank) while at the same time the AdSense folks have recommended putting ads above the fold because they can see what works.
          Are webmasters unable to think for themselves? Of course ads above the fold will convert better. But nobody will stay for long on your site if all they see when they click on are ads. It's a question of balance.

          Anyone remotely skilled in designing a user-friendly site should have no problem understanding how those two principles can be reconciled for optimum benefit.


          Frank
          Signature


          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5458122].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author jficarro
            Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

            Are webmasters unable to think for themselves? Of course ads above the fold will convert better. But nobody will stay for long on your site if all they see when they click on are ads. It's a question of balance.

            Anyone remotely skilled in designing a user-friendly site should have no problem understanding how those two principles can be reconciled for optimum benefit.


            Frank
            Frank, I think you're still missing the point (at least the one Fluff and I are making).

            Of course we don't want to put a bunch of spammy ads on top of our sites. It's a matter of Google forcing it's will (and in this case hypocritically) on everyone. And before anyone says "nobody's forcing you to please Google" - spare me. Of course we have to play on Google's terms.

            The crappy site of my friends that has all the ads on the top (you literally have to scroll down to get to "content" (there really is no content - just nav links) makes a minimum of $300/day - $110,000/year!

            So, if Google is attempting to make the Internet a better place? They aint doing such a hot job of it and they should apply the rules to themselves.

            How about putting sponsored search ad results on the bottom of the page?
            Signature
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5459680].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      I remember reading about this last year, but I don't really see what the issue is.

      Google doesn't dictate where I place ads on my sites - I do. And I don't believe that cramming as many as possible above the fold does anything to enhance the browsing experience of my visitors.

      As happy visitors tend to make for happy advertisers, focusing on a good user experience would seem to be the best policy for all parties.


      Frank
      Signature


      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5458000].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author francof
    Sort of goes without saying, Google's mission is just to deliver the best results for their users so if you always keep that in mind and look at it from google's and the visitor's perspective, you organize your site in such a way naturally.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5458041].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Geraldm
    Ok love them or hate them ... the big question is ...

    WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR ADS ?!?!?!?!!?!??! Just ignore Google's advice?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5459402].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chrissyb
    How much screen real estate you have surely has a bearing on this....Where is the fold?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5459705].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hustlinsmoke
    Yeah good decision. I use mainly two optins on my squeeze pages, one at top and bottom so I am covered.

    About the only sites I use below the fold is oto's so not really worried about it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5460006].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author timtheman
    I think that's a good choice. Ads should be placed tastefully. No one wants to be accosted by ads right when they click a link.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5470961].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author chad3623wiley
    peronally think its for the better
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5471184].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    This is great news.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5471246].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Google : "Do as we say, not as we do..."

    Signature

    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5471331].message }}

Trending Topics