« Folder Sites | Main | So, What's My Purpose? - 50 Affiliate Site Challenge Update »
Hey! Where's Your Adsense?
May 06, 2006
I get so many emails from people asking me why I don't have Adsense on this blog. Or suggesting that I put Adsense on my blog and make some money at this whole Internet marketing game.
So here's the reason why I don't have Adsense here.
I've tried Adsense out here three times in the past. Usually never for longer than a few weeks on my main pages and individual posts, although for a while there, I had Adsense running on all my archive pages.
But recently, I took a look at what happened each time I ran Adsense here. I decided to just take the ads all off permanently, and not fiddle with it again. The reason? Well, it's not like a really scientific conclusion or anything like that, but one thing I noticed every single time I placed Adsense on my post pages was that within two days, the amount I was earning per click, across ALL of my sites carrying Adsense, would plummet.
In the meantime, the CTR on this blog was simply terrible. Okay, I admit I did not optimize the placement of the ads, but I blog here for fun and I know I have people who kindly come here regularly to read whatever I happen to want to spout off about, and optimizing my ad placement just didn't feel right.
When people did click through an ad, I'd make something like 5 cents (if I was lucky). I imagine the CTR here probably had something to do with that.
And, when I did pull Adsense from this blog, within about two days, the amounts I made per click across the board on my other sites would go back up.
Like I said, this isn't at all a scientific conclusion. But I decided that, even though I didn't know WHY this was happening, it sure looked like it happened every single time. And the pennies I was generating via the Adsense on this blog was just not worth the drop in my overall Adsense income resulting from lower payout amounts.
So now you know why I don't have Adsense here..
Bookmark this: BlinkList | del.icio.us | Digg it | Furl | reddit | Yahoo MyWeb
Posted by BJ at 11:33 AM in Adsense | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/69656/4816257
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Hey! Where's Your Adsense?:
Comments
And because of the low payout amounts and having a terrible time trying to figure out how to get traffic, I'm about ready to give up the whole adsense thing!
Posted by: Bryan Reinhart | May 7, 2006 12:46:55 AM
Bryan, here's what's been working for me on some of my other sites. I've discovered that the sites that work best for me when it comes to Adsense are the ones where I've done two things - researched both Adsense payout amounts and keywords.
On these smaller niche-type sites, I use the "low-lying fruit" method, and it definitely is worth a try. If you've selected a niche that has higher paying payout amounts, and you're targeting keywords for which there are a smaller number of searches, you do end up getting some traffic. With Adsense optimized on your pages, you'll find that each site will pull its weight in terms of income.
The beauty of these little sites is that they really don't have to pull heavy traffic. But because they are highly targeted, they pull in enough searches to provide you with a steady and consistent Adsense income. The trick is in finding the right niches, and the key to that is really just thinking out of the box a little.
Posted by: BJ | May 7, 2006 11:52:36 AM
I totally agree with you - even though I do have Adsense on my site - I don't get the clicks. Which leaves me wondering why I bother leaving it on my site... well, when people do click - the money isn't "horrible"...but not great... whatever - it's money right?! *lol*
I think the low CTR on sites like ours is that people who come and visit are actually "ad aware" - they're doing the same thing we are - they just blank out the ads - unless it looks like a kick butt deal.
My 2 cents :)
Posted by: Empress | May 8, 2006 11:36:00 AM
I agree - I have AdSense on a few proper content sites, but I'm growing more and more disillusioned with it - it feels like it empowers advertisers more than publishers. The irony is, a lot of publishers keep away from advertising on Adsense because there's a much bigger arena for clickfraud suggested at work there.
Direct relationships with advertisers would be better, IMO.
Posted by: Brian Turner | May 9, 2006 7:16:35 AM
Direct relationships are great, but not possible if you are in 50+ niches...that is where adsense is great, you drive the traffic and let your ad publishing be run by a 3rd party.
-Brandon Hopkins
Posted by: Business Cards | May 16, 2006 2:59:53 PM
