Old AdSense Block Back On Top

Our 2-day testing of the smaller AdSense block on top of a page resulted in a 50% drop of the CTR. No need to test that one any further, right? We restored the old settings.

Make sure you write great page descriptions and bold introductions, and your readers will want to read more despite the initial ad block.  

Do you recommend having an initial text module , before the Table of Contents module? I'm thinking its wise for those of us who tend to think of sub-heading based on keywords LOL 

Actually, I always put my TOC module (IF I use one) at the end of my pages. And I never start with a big picture. That way, there's always a good chunk of (optimized) content above the fold. 

Might be a risky strategy given Google's 'above the fold' algo update. Also, when I first looked at Wizzley that big ad block nearly dissuaded me from joining. 

How about allowing (or even forcing) a small picture next to the summary? It might be enough to keep those people who would otherwise click away immediately from doing so. It might even save a few 'block this site' clicks from Chrome users.

Yes, I noticed that! 

Do you think the large white space to the right of the ad block and the large amounts of whitespace between the ads are helping?

Elsewhere I see an adsense block with three ads that goes across the full width of the content. This packs in almost as much advertizing but doesn't take up so much vertical space. 

I have no idea if google cares about vertical space, but it's possible that people do!

Thanks Chef will do

TerriRexson: 01. Feb 2012, 02:40

 

Elsewhere I see an adsense block with three ads that goes across the full width of the content. This packs in almost as much advertizing but doesn't take up so much vertical space. 

 

I am curious about that, too.  Chef, did you guys test out this ad block style; three ads across the full width?

I'm sure you'll keep tweaking to perfection!

I can tell the big ad blocks are back already 

I agree. I had several dead days Adsense wise. And suddenly it came back! Horray!

Yes, my revenue has jumped in the last day or so.

I think if you reduced the white space between everything it would really help. Because we can't nest the capsules. I have to use the Space capsule to keep everything in place. Even at one pixel, that creates a lot of white space. Even without the Space capsule, when I use a Text Capsule instead, there's a large white gap.

(I'm glad to have the big ad block back as well. I'm sure we can find a layout that looks good on all screen sizes.)

The big ad block is only visible when you're logged out because logged-in members wouldn't and shouldn't click on the ads, anyway. In other words - external visitors see the big block, and logged-in members see the smaller, single ad.

I'm not really sure what you want us to do about the "white space between everything", Digby. It may be more a matter of properly designing your word count, and using our module tools for a nice layout creation.

Any specific ideas?

No, I keep playing with the modules and the text and the image size. It's probably just a matter of personal preference. As long as the Wizzles make $$$, I should just chill and keep writing.