When we talk about optimization in AdSense, we usually focus on testing different formats, colors, and locations for your ad units. But it's just as important, if not more so, to optimize your site's content to make it as user-friendly as possible. Which homepage design do your users respond most to? Which headline or graphic will entice your users to spend more time reading your articles? Knowing the answers can help you implement the most user-friendly elements, increasing user loyalty and engagement. And as we've noted, more engaged, more frequent users means more eyes on your AdSense ads.
You can determine the answers to the questions above (and more) by using Google Website Optimizer, a free tool available through Google AdWords. It lets you try out different layouts and content for your site and conduct either an A/B test or a multivariate test to track how different content affects your users. To learn more about Website Optimizer, just visit their informational site to find out everything you need to know before getting started. If you don't yet have an AdWords account, sign up here to access Website Optimizer.
Finally, we encourage you to attend a free online seminar about Website Optimizer. Your host will be Tom Leung, Product Manager for Website Optimizer, and the guest presenter will be Bryan Eisenberg from FutureNow, Inc. Tom and Bryan will introduce Website Optimizer, share best practices for testing, and discuss some of the top elements to test on any webpage. Here are all the details:
What: Website Optimizer: What Should I Test?
When: Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am PST
Register to attend.
Best of luck with optimizing your site, your ad units, and beyond.
Updated AdWords URL for accuracy
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008
Updated Terms and Conditions
Every now and then, we update the AdSense Terms and Conditions to make sure they're in line with policies across Google, and to prepare for future changes to the products and services we offer. As part of these regular updates, you'll soon sign in to your account and see that the Terms have been updated, prompting you to read through and accept them.
This time around, most of the changes to the Terms and Conditions fall into two broad categories: 1) future products and features and 2) privacy requirements. Specifically, one of the main changes is that the terms anticipate future products that may become available in other advertising formats and mediums, for example Gadget Ads. As we look forward to monetizing more online and offline content, we've re-worded some portions of the terms to make them applicable across a broader array of media and formats -- anticipating, for example, that future products may be priced, paid, or managed differently than current ones.
We've also added some specific requirements that make it necessary for publishers to post and abide by a transparent privacy policy that users see. According to this policy, publishers must notify their users of the use of cookies and/or web beacons to collect data in the ad serving process. This change relates to advertisers' use of innovative products and features like Gadget Ads and other offerings in the future.
The changes aren't limited to the areas above, however; we've made small changes throughout, so it's a good idea for you to review them thoroughly before accepting.
This time around, most of the changes to the Terms and Conditions fall into two broad categories: 1) future products and features and 2) privacy requirements. Specifically, one of the main changes is that the terms anticipate future products that may become available in other advertising formats and mediums, for example Gadget Ads. As we look forward to monetizing more online and offline content, we've re-worded some portions of the terms to make them applicable across a broader array of media and formats -- anticipating, for example, that future products may be priced, paid, or managed differently than current ones.
We've also added some specific requirements that make it necessary for publishers to post and abide by a transparent privacy policy that users see. According to this policy, publishers must notify their users of the use of cookies and/or web beacons to collect data in the ad serving process. This change relates to advertisers' use of innovative products and features like Gadget Ads and other offerings in the future.
The changes aren't limited to the areas above, however; we've made small changes throughout, so it's a good idea for you to review them thoroughly before accepting.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Fueling creativity in online video - with AdSense for video beta
We know that publishers are quickly adding video to their sites and looking for ways to earn additional revenue. If this sounds like you, look no further than AdSense for video, our solution for qualifying publishers. You may remember that we announced AdSense for video as a pilot last May.
Since then, we've tested a variety of ad formats with the interest of users, publishers and advertisers in mind. As a result, we've decided that AdSense for video will use the InVideo ads adopted on our own property, YouTube, which enable advertisers to make a single buy at scale. Also competing in the auction - and unique to AdSense for video and AdSense video units - are text overlay ads which are contextually targeted to signals in your videos and on the page where the video lives. The InVideo ads are paid on a CPM basis, while the text overlay ads are paid on a CPC basis. You can see ad demos here. While we'll continue to test a variety of ad formats, we believe that overlays are the best way to balance user experience with the needs of our publishers.
AdSense for video is now available to publishers who, at a minimum, serve one million video streams each month and are based in the U.S. with English language sites. In the near future, we do plan to expand the program to more publishers of various sizes and locations.
You may be wondering how this offering differs from the other video advertising solutions that AdSense (and YouTube) have rolled out in the last year. To give you an overview, we've launched a site at www.google.com/videoadsolutions.
To apply for AdSense for video beta, please visit the AdSense for video page on the Google Video Advertising Solutions site. You can also learn about the various ways to earn revenue from video content by watching this video.
Since then, we've tested a variety of ad formats with the interest of users, publishers and advertisers in mind. As a result, we've decided that AdSense for video will use the InVideo ads adopted on our own property, YouTube, which enable advertisers to make a single buy at scale. Also competing in the auction - and unique to AdSense for video and AdSense video units - are text overlay ads which are contextually targeted to signals in your videos and on the page where the video lives. The InVideo ads are paid on a CPM basis, while the text overlay ads are paid on a CPC basis. You can see ad demos here. While we'll continue to test a variety of ad formats, we believe that overlays are the best way to balance user experience with the needs of our publishers.
AdSense for video is now available to publishers who, at a minimum, serve one million video streams each month and are based in the U.S. with English language sites. In the near future, we do plan to expand the program to more publishers of various sizes and locations.
You may be wondering how this offering differs from the other video advertising solutions that AdSense (and YouTube) have rolled out in the last year. To give you an overview, we've launched a site at www.google.com/videoadsolutions.
To apply for AdSense for video beta, please visit the AdSense for video page on the Google Video Advertising Solutions site. You can also learn about the various ways to earn revenue from video content by watching this video.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
In for a penny, in for a pound key
As more publishers are being asked to complete the phone verification process, we've received a number of puzzled emails from our international community asking about the prompt to 'press the pound key'. To clarify, the 'pound key' refers to the '#' symbol (also known as the hash key), and not the '₤' symbol. The pound/hash key can typically be found below the '9' key.
We're working on perfecting our non-US English, and we apologise for any confusion caused ;)
We're working on perfecting our non-US English, and we apologise for any confusion caused ;)
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