When we visit our favorite websites, we have very little insight into the person who created them other than recognition of our shared interests. A publisher in India might own a website about his penchant for classic American cars, and the majority of his readers might reside in the UK. The beauty of the Internet is that each web page could have been created by anyone, anywhere in the world -- and the site's readers are often as demographically diverse as they are a group of like-minded people.
This is where AdSense comes in -- publishers can earn money for something they probably would have done for free, i.e., writing about subjects they love. Since ads are targeted both to the content of the page and the location of the user, there are no geographic limitations on who can succeed. This puts publishers in the developing world on a near-level playing field with publishers in the developed world when it comes to earning money from their interests. We've heard stories from publishers in all parts of the world about how AdSense earnings are being reinvested into creating better websites and content, or spent on life improvements including new cars, vacations, education and even engagement rings.
While there are of course still barriers to entry in some parts of the world, like high hosting costs and access to the Internet, one of our biggest motivators in improving the AdSense product is hearing your success stories -- so please, keep them coming!
Friday, 31 March 2006
CPM ads: Knowing the facts can pay off
We've received lots of questions asking for clarification about the relationships between ad type (text vs. image), bidding method (CPM vs. CPC) and targeting type (site vs. contextual). To clear up any confusion, we've separated several myths from the facts.
Myth: All text-based ads are paid on cost-per-click (CPC) basis, and all image-based ads are paid on a cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) basis.
Fact: Both text and image ads can be paid on either a CPC or CPM basis. AdWords advertisers can choose which type of ad they'd like to create -- e.g., CPM vs. CPC or text vs. image. In order for a CPM ad or an image CPC ad to win in the ad unit auction and appear on your site, it has to produce an effective CPM greater than the sum of the individual text ads that would otherwise appear.
Myth: If I set my ad unit to 'image only', I'll get exclusively CPM ads.
Fact: As mentioned above, image ads can be either CPC or CPM ads, so you could also see CPC image ads. You might also see public service ads if there is a limited inventory of image ads relevant to your site content. As a rule of thumb, we recommend opting into both text and image ads. Doing so expands the pool of advertisers competing to display on your site – both on a CPC and CPM basis – therefore maximizing your site's revenue potential. It also helps to choose an ad format that supports both text and image ads.
Keep in mind that currently, all CPM ads are site targeted, meaning that your site will only display CPM ads if an AdWords advertiser has decided your content is relevant to their ad campaign. To increase advertiser bidding on your site, you may wish to customize your Onsite Advertiser Sign-up landing page.
Myth: I can't participate in Onsite Advertiser Sign-up because I only want to display text ads on my site.
Fact: Since site-targeted CPM ads can be either text-based or image-based, you can still take advantage of this program even if you only want to show text ads. Advertisers who want to display on your site can create text-based site-targeted ads.
Myth: All text-based ads are paid on cost-per-click (CPC) basis, and all image-based ads are paid on a cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) basis.
Fact: Both text and image ads can be paid on either a CPC or CPM basis. AdWords advertisers can choose which type of ad they'd like to create -- e.g., CPM vs. CPC or text vs. image. In order for a CPM ad or an image CPC ad to win in the ad unit auction and appear on your site, it has to produce an effective CPM greater than the sum of the individual text ads that would otherwise appear.
Myth: If I set my ad unit to 'image only', I'll get exclusively CPM ads.
Fact: As mentioned above, image ads can be either CPC or CPM ads, so you could also see CPC image ads. You might also see public service ads if there is a limited inventory of image ads relevant to your site content. As a rule of thumb, we recommend opting into both text and image ads. Doing so expands the pool of advertisers competing to display on your site – both on a CPC and CPM basis – therefore maximizing your site's revenue potential. It also helps to choose an ad format that supports both text and image ads.
Keep in mind that currently, all CPM ads are site targeted, meaning that your site will only display CPM ads if an AdWords advertiser has decided your content is relevant to their ad campaign. To increase advertiser bidding on your site, you may wish to customize your Onsite Advertiser Sign-up landing page.
Myth: I can't participate in Onsite Advertiser Sign-up because I only want to display text ads on my site.
Fact: Since site-targeted CPM ads can be either text-based or image-based, you can still take advantage of this program even if you only want to show text ads. Advertisers who want to display on your site can create text-based site-targeted ads.
Thursday, 30 March 2006
Hipper than a square
We caught up with one of our favorite AdSense ad formats, the 300 x 250 Medium Rectangle, to learn more about how it can help you maximize your site's revenue potential.
What distinguishes you from other ad formats?
I'm one of the ad formats that currently supports image ads. This is a strong trait because it increases the pool of ads competing to show on your site -- and the more ads competing to display on your site, the more revenue potential for you.
What are your hobbies?
I really enjoy integrating with content -- nestle me into an article and I'll be a happy camper. I also like being above the fold where I tend to perform best for you and your site users.
Do you work out to enhance your performance?
Sometimes I can get out of shape just sitting immobilized on your pages. You can help keep me sharp by testing my performance with channels to make sure I'm doing my best. Try moving me to different locations on your page to see where I'm most effective; try giving me a makeover with different color schemes to see if it boosts my revenue performance. Like people, ad units get bored if you're not constantly challenging us to do better.
So you don't bike like Mike Gutner?
No, it's one of the limitations of having corners. I think a round ad format would be better suited to that.
What distinguishes you from other ad formats?
I'm one of the ad formats that currently supports image ads. This is a strong trait because it increases the pool of ads competing to show on your site -- and the more ads competing to display on your site, the more revenue potential for you.
What are your hobbies?
I really enjoy integrating with content -- nestle me into an article and I'll be a happy camper. I also like being above the fold where I tend to perform best for you and your site users.
Do you work out to enhance your performance?
Sometimes I can get out of shape just sitting immobilized on your pages. You can help keep me sharp by testing my performance with channels to make sure I'm doing my best. Try moving me to different locations on your page to see where I'm most effective; try giving me a makeover with different color schemes to see if it boosts my revenue performance. Like people, ad units get bored if you're not constantly challenging us to do better.
So you don't bike like Mike Gutner?
No, it's one of the limitations of having corners. I think a round ad format would be better suited to that.
Tuesday, 28 March 2006
Inside AdSense -- now in German
For all of our German speaking readers who wish you could read Inside AdSense in your own language, we're pleased to announce that we've launched a sister blog, Inside AdSense: Das offizielle deutsche AdSense-Blog. In addition to covering optimization tips, features and announcements, the new blog will post information especially for German publishers.
Subscribe today so you don't miss a post! Just send a blank message to inside-adsense-de@googlegroups.com. You'll then receive an email with instructions for completing your subscription.
Subscribe today so you don't miss a post! Just send a blank message to inside-adsense-de@googlegroups.com. You'll then receive an email with instructions for completing your subscription.
Friday, 24 March 2006
Maintenance tonight at 8PM PST
Tonight at 20:00 PST, we'll be performing some routine AdSense maintenance. This means you may not be able to access your account for a few hours, but your AdSense ads will still serve properly and all your stats and earnings will be recorded as usual.
We appreciate your patience during this period and in the meantime, we hope this will allow you to get a head start on the weekend. :)
We appreciate your patience during this period and in the meantime, we hope this will allow you to get a head start on the weekend. :)
Wednesday, 22 March 2006
Now you can help each other
We're excited to announce that the new AdSense Help Group has launched. In this community, you can discuss all things AdSense with people who'll understand exactly where you're coming from -- i.e., other AdSense publishers.
Whether you want to share AdSense expertise, bounce your ideas for improving referrals off your peers, or just want sympathy about your latest bout of G.A.S.S., the AdSense Help Group is the place for you.
Join today and start sharing all your stories, advice, questions and feedback with fellow AdSense publishers.
Whether you want to share AdSense expertise, bounce your ideas for improving referrals off your peers, or just want sympathy about your latest bout of G.A.S.S., the AdSense Help Group is the place for you.
Join today and start sharing all your stories, advice, questions and feedback with fellow AdSense publishers.
Tuesday, 21 March 2006
Help us help you
It's the middle of the night and you're tooling away at your website. After making a few updates, you realize you've got a question about your Google ads. It would be great to get an answer right away -- but it's 2 A.M., and chances are the AdSense team is ... fast asleep. What do you do? You turn to the AdSense Help Center, open 'round the clock to answer your AdSense questions.
We've redesigned and reorganized the Help Center so that you can find the information you seek more quickly and easily. Go take a look and let us know what you think. Do you learn best with demos? Did a troubleshooting wizard help you resolve an ad issue? Can you easily find information on your EFT payments? We'd like to know -- since we're always working to develop new resources and improve the answers we provide, it's a great help to get your feedback on what works for you.
We've redesigned and reorganized the Help Center so that you can find the information you seek more quickly and easily. Go take a look and let us know what you think. Do you learn best with demos? Did a troubleshooting wizard help you resolve an ad issue? Can you easily find information on your EFT payments? We'd like to know -- since we're always working to develop new resources and improve the answers we provide, it's a great help to get your feedback on what works for you.
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