The blogosphere is never short of tips and tricks on how to make money online. Some strategies take a bit more time to implement while some are downright too-good-to-be-true.
I’m not your “usual guru” who teaches you how to make money online but personally I second the notion that the most basic strategies are usually the best.
Google Adsense is probably the simplest and the most popular blog monetizing program on the Web. It’s essentially the bread and butter of many bloggers.
Now what you are going to see below is a three-part video series that demonstrates, in plain English, Google’s top tips for increasing your AdSense earnings.
1. Bigger is Better
Right from the horse’s mouth, Google suggests the following ads units are the best for the publishers
- 300×250 medium rectangle
- 728×90 leaderboard
- 160×600 skyscraper
2. Dress for Success
When you design your AdSense ads, keep these tips in mind:
- Use colors that either blend with or complement your site’s colors. Make the ads a part of your site.
- Use lighter colors for borders, or no border at all.
- Try rotating colors or occasionally switching the location of your ads on the page.
- Save sets of frequently-used colors as a palette.
3. Position for Performance
According to Google, the following positions should have the highest conversation rate
- Above the fold of a page (the section of the page a user can see without scrolling)
- At the end of an article
- Aligned with content
“So remember, position your ads above the fold and where users are more likely to see them,” says Google.
In My Most Humblest Opinion
Don’t just take its words for it. All the best Adsense tips in the world will not do you any good if you fail to drive traffic to your site. For that reason alone, it’s best to focus on building a decent amount of traffic prior to monetizing your blog.
You’ll never get it right on your first attempt. Your monetizing strategy should be one of ‘trial and error’. With time and trial and error, the above tips should help to improve your Adsense earnings potential.
Here’s my personal ‘adsense’ tip
Position your ads units as visible as possible without intruding on the experience of your site’s visitors. Use channels to keep track of the best performing units and section targeting for better ads targeting.
Last but not the least, don’t put all your eggs into Google’s basket. In fact, you can still make money without it.
What’s yours? Share your tips below. I’d love to hear from ya..
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Yan
I orginally started with adsense on one of my sites but then began to relize there was better opportunity to make money than adsense. I think you need to work to hard to get adsense earning even if your ads are in the proper
place on your site for optimal clickthough
Bruno Auger´s lastest post..Exploring the Insides of the PC
Hey Bruno
I think I might have to agree with you that there are other better opportunities to make money online. Especially in the blogging niche I’m in, adsense earnings just suck.
I’d have gone by now if I rely on this blog to make money.
Yan
I ve moved away from adsense on my blog …btw do you mind tell us how much you make on adsense from your blog..would help us gauge its effectiveness on blogs
ZK@Internet Marketing Blog´s lastest post..Tips to make a Blog Contest successful
Hey ZK
Didn’t anyone tell you that adsense isn’t going to work on MMO/blogging niche? I could be wrong but that’s the way it is here at thoushallblog.com, a double figure is what I’m earning right now from adsense.
Yan
I confirm that 320×250 is a KILLER on blogs! ;) blended with text on top of each post is the way to go. Well, works for me, again Adsense is about tweaking for the best results on your site. I don’t run adsense on frogstr of course, but run it on another blog.
I moved to a smaller ad units and revenue dropped, but end user experience increased and that’s what I’m looking for.
Ben Tremblay´s lastest post..Posts the frog enjoyed
You have your point, Ben…. user experience is definitely worth more than a few cents. I didn’t notice you had no adsense on frogstr.
The best performing unit on my blog is now reserved by Motive for the next three months so my adsense earnings from this blog is going downhill since.
I like using adsense for small sites (micro niches) that are created just for that reason (getting adsense clicks), and I use it like all of the above.
Adsense sucks for a lot of niches though (MMO especially!).
Cheers Yan!
Jy
SuiteJ´s lastest post..Beyond The Basics Of Website Flipping
I like using adsense for small sites (micro niches) that are created just for that reason (getting adsense clicks)
I’m beginning to realize the potential earnings of adsense on niche sites. The kind of micro sites I’m too exploring at the moment. Thanks for your input, Jay.
Great post Yan.
I do all of the above on other small niche sites I have and they’re doing greatttttt!
I think the large rectangle is better than medium rectangle because it show larger font. Skyscraper is also good and better if it is beside the scrollbar.
In placement, inline ads is the best but I used to have my google ads after my post. Because if I place it inside the post, my blog will look like over crowded with ads and people might leave my blog. But I still get some clicks in the Google ads after my post.
Still we need to raise our traffic in order to get more adsense earnings. We usually get clicks from the people from search engines not from our subscribers.
Hussein´s lastest post..Why Do You Do Blog Commenting
We usually get clicks from the people from search engines not from our subscribers
Bingo. The better we are on SERP, the higher our Adsense earnings is. The question is how to position ourselves better. Right, buddy?
I turn down Adsense from my Blog – I don’t have PIN and not in mood to serve public Interest Ads.
Great Tips Indeed.
Shanker Bakshi´s lastest post..Interview With Andy Bailey – The Man Behind Plugin CommentLuv
I put Adsense on the end of each post, and a 160 x 600 banner on my sidebar. I think the best tip to earn from Adsense is to make numerous posts about a hot topic like the upcoming Pacquiao-dela Hoya fight, then put tons of ads surrounding the posts.
Readers will not be disturbed with the scattered ads since they are really looking something to read. But if you choose to make readable posts and promoting/selling a product or service, then the readers will be annoyed with the ads.
Just my thoughts.
Angel Cuala´s lastest post..Media – Does it really care for our Children?
Hey Angel
Thanks for sharing your thought. I do agree with you that adsense works better in a more targeted article aimed at readers who come from search engine results.
Since they are looking for a specific topic, they are more likely to click on your ads while your regulars might find those ads distracting. The key is to find the right balance and it’s something I’m yet to perfect it myself.
Yan
Great tips Yan, and just in time as I was just about to go play with my Adsense, I think testing variations against results is sometimes the best way to analyze Adsense potential.
JR @ Internet Marketing Strategies´s lastest post..New Google Search Based Keyword Tool – Optimize Your Pages
I think testing variations against results is sometimes the best way to analyze Adsense potential.
Couldn’t agree more with you, JR. It’s all about trial and error. Are you saying you don’t have adsense on your blog? LOL this proves that I’m blinded to ads just like any other.
Great Post Yan!!
Will definitely help me :)
Farrhad´s lastest post..Question and Answers: 1
I’m personally not a big fan of adsense. Here’s why.
Let’s say you get paid $0.20 per click (a reasonable amount I think). 200 people clicked on the ad and you make $40. Pretty good you might say.
Now, let’s say you joined an affiliate program. Then you build your own targeted landing page, test it and put up a good copy on it. Don’t you think you can convert more than just 0.5% (1 in 200)?
Heck, I even have a landing page that generates 5% sales response. Not to mention the list you can build from those people who clicked… a 10% conversion on opt-in pages is highly achievable.
You can go to clickbank and sell a product that gives a commission of $80, and bam! You just doubled income for every 200 visitors (assuming a conservative 0.5% conversion).
Now, I’m not saying I’m a Jenius (as Frank Kern would say) or anything, I’m just saying that that’s what a lot of super affiliate do. So unless you’re targeting high paying keywords that pays $2 a click, most people would benefit more if they would sell things instead of displaying adsense.
Andre Thomas´s lastest post..How To Be Inspired At Will
Now, let’s say you joined an affiliate program. Then you build your own targeted landing page, test it and put up a good copy on it. Don’t you think you can convert more than just 0.5% (1 in 200)?
You are right on the money, buddy. Your reasoning is making sense here. I’m not against adsense and I’m not a fan either – at least for this blog but other niche sites I’m working on, adsense is the way to go.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and good to see you, buddy.
Excellent post Yan. The placement, and the size of the ads always matter in adsense earnings. I have noticed sizes like 336 x 280 works the best and 300 x 250 also does the job. Very nice post and thanks for the link love :)
nice Yan, but for now my blog don’t have any adSense, I think I should focus on my visitors first before I’m start to put some ads on my blog, when that time come I will try your tips..
newbiesblogger´s lastest post..Do You Need Your RSS Button.
I think I should focus on my visitors first before I’m start to put some ads on my blog..
You got it, pal. Traffic comes before anything else, no question about it.
To your success
Yan
Some great tips there Yan! I personally have rarely used adsense, only in sites that I have developed for others but I totally agree – making it fit the ‘flow’ of the website is very important to getting clicks through. I always tried to make the adsense look at nice and ’stylish’ as possible – which is hard with google adsense :P
Dan´s lastest post..Saturday News Update
You opened my eyes thanks allot !
GameNewsForYou´s lastest post..Call of Duty World at War Review
I love what you said in the 2nd paragraph because it is so true!
It’s always the simple, the common sense, the slap in the head because it’s right in front of you idea. LOL
Dennis Edell´s lastest post..2 NEW BLOGS Unveiled! FINALLY!!
Thanks, buddy. Glad you like it as it’s the truth. I was just making my point that “this is not a MMO blog so go and learn how to make money online somewhere else”.
I’ve moved Adsense on my blog because I make almost nothing from Adsense on the blog. However, I do make money from my other websites, and I’m presently about to have my best month ever on one of my sites, which is really neat. It really is all about positioning for websites, but for blogs, though I can’t remember who said it, the truth is that many of us have been conditioned so much about clicking on our own Adsense links that we tend to not click as much on other people’s Adsense, even if there’s something we might be interested in. Weird, the way the mind works. Great post, indeed.
Mitch´s lastest post..“Legitimizing” Spam?
the truth is that many of us have been conditioned so much about clicking on our own Adsense links that we tend to not click as much on other people’s Adsense..
Well, that’s the truth and the truth is always bitter, right Mitch? The only thing unique about me is that I don’t click on my own ads…;)
indeed. sometimes it isn’t some hidden trick which makes a difference, but more of applying basic information that’s readily available. the hard part comes when you try to keep on working on it for months or years.
am looking to set up a few more blogs over the coming days, other topics and interests. i like the idea of adsense because it’s fairly straightforward, especially since i still have a ton of stuff to learn. :)
kouji´s lastest post..ocean currents haiku poem
Hey kouji
It’s been a while, huh? How’s it going? Setting up a few more blogs? Good to hear that you are moving forward. What makes you do so?
Oh, I had one more thing to say, but when I was trying to edit it said I didn’t have permission; how odd. Anyway, I wanted to add that, as I go back through some posts and try to reoptimize them, I am adding an Adsense block into some of those posts, just to try to enhance them a little bit.
Mitch´s lastest post..Freelance Writing Woes
when I was trying to edit it said I didn’t have permission; how odd..
My goodness, really? Weird!!! Anyone have any problem with this?
I go back through some posts and try to reoptimize them, I am adding an Adsense block into some of those posts, just to try to enhance them a little bit..
You know what? I just did that a couple of days ago. I checked on my stats to see which pages have the most organic traffic and I reoptimize them with adsense. Let’s see how it goes from there.
Thanks for sharing it with us, Mitch.
I think they’re all great tips Yan. Good job. I like it that you included videos on your post.
Klajdi Hena´s lastest post..GMail introduces Themes!
The foundamentals are often forgot when it comes to monetizing a website or blog so that you can make money off of it. Google AdSense is a good example of a program that can get you started.
I agree with the thress methods you suggested here and I like vidoes Google made. They were quite entertaining and educational at the same time. Usually most videos with these two qualities are terrible but I liked these ones.
How would you suggest someone trying to get targeted ads on their site though? I know that positioning your code near certain keywords will get you better results.
Also, your definitly right about traffic and Google AdSense. Without traffic you will make next to nothing no matter how targeted your ads are.
IronBlogger – Blogging Tips and Tricks´s lastest post..Create A Pop Up Form With Aweber
Thanks, nice tips. (and some good comments too)
Hey Yan!
I’m really learning a lot from your blog.. This post is very informative and helpful! I like the videos because of the concept and every video explains the tip very well!
jheLo´s lastest post..Farewell Friendster?!
In Adsense, I feel like the niche and ad placement is what really matters. I have been frustrated with Adsense with some time now, having an increase in traffic would certainly not increase your Adsense earnings
Blogging from Scratch´s lastest post..Vote me off as the next Blogging Idol
A link unit with 5 links and white background and the large rectangle with white background works best for me. But this is of course if you have a blog that has a white background too. So totally agree in the tips where the part of blending with your blog is mentioned. It really helps a lot increasing the CTR.
My best adsense tip – You can make a lot of money with adsense but you need to really work at it. Traffic drives you income amount so you won’t make a ton of money right away.
andy´s lastest post..Staying Focused…..It’s Hard!
Well, anything that’s easy doesn’t pay well, does it? ;) Traffic is still the key to adsense success, no question about it.
In the beginning I concentrated solely on adsense but then I saw how foolish this was. It surprised me that I never thought of monetizing ones blog as being similar to investing. Why would you want to put all your eggs into one basket. Then I started experimenting with other types of ad units. So far the one that is performing the best for me is Chitika, and on occasions it has actually surpassed Adsense.
Sire´s lastest post..Bloggers, Overworked And Underpaid
Your blog is amongst the ones with good content. The potentials of your writing skills could be used to exploit the opportunities to earn while you write. This could empower you to make money while writing blogs in your free time.
Your Niche is good and could bring you more readership. It could be used for Niche Building for advertisers.
Try looking for ways to monetize your blog too. You can do paid reviews for advertisers, its been the newest and most effective mode of online advertising and brand promotion used by millions of advertisers. Even You can use this service to promote your blog and get free backlinks.
This will improve your blog rankings and let you earn money from your blog.
A unique way of earning in your free time writing your favourite blog offered by BlogCytes
I have no personal gains in Blogcytes advertising services and it is just my suggestion as i find good potential in your blog.
Good Luck !!!
Nice tips Yan. I am sitting on most of these tips utilized. The CTR is still not improving beyond 1.75 or 2.00%
Probably for the time being getting a check every other month is okay :D
Another thing I figured out is that the link ads especially the 468×15, site navigation bar style one, gets decent CTR.
cheers, Ajith
Ajith Edassery´s lastest post..Free blogging platforms – Blogger v/s Wordpress.com Comparison
Which would perform better 336X250 or 336X280?
Nihar´s lastest post..NiharsWorld turns 1 today!
Many times your niche also matters, i have tried adsense for many niche, if you are writting about technology then the click pays more but for other stuff its very less.
Chetan´s lastest post..My First wordpress plugin released
These are very simply and basic tips, which many people do not use. It is amazing how we forget about the basics and why we should always review them from time to time.
Recently, I went back over the basics of SEO on my Madmouse Web Directory. I have now made it to #2 on MSN for the search term, “web directory”. My primary keyword is, URL submit and that is making progress as well.
I am not sure why, but my blog does very well with Google Adsense. I have tried other ads and affiliates, but haven’t been able to get them to work for me.
I got few simple tips for improve adsense but if you Create a custom palette for your ads. Choose a color that will go well with the background of your site. If your site has a white background, try to use white as the color of your ad border and background. The idea to patterning the colors is to make the Adsense look like it is part of the web pages. Again, this will result to more clicks from people visiting your site.
Great post !. I found a lot of useful thing here !
I always love GA since this is my first earning resource.
Dinh Trung
themondey.info
Dinh Trung´s lastest post..HOW TO PLACE THE CODE INTO YOUR BLOG POSTS ?
You have some really good tips here Yan, and it is always appreciated.
I haven’t actually placed adsense on my blog yet, but am heavily considering doing so. Your post has given me something to think about.
Online Marketing Promotion´s lastest post..Plug In Profit Site – Review
Great tips! I utilized many of the tips here and can say that my click through rate has almost doubled since th change. Thanks for the help
Matt Helphrey´s lastest post..Develop a Link Building Strategy
All those spots are prime places for CPA affiliate ads as well… The trick is the balance between both systems.. Personally i prefer CPA ads as they pay better and look better.. :)
Timon Weller´s lastest post..Why do some Websites or Blogs get away with Selling Links…?
google adsense is the best program for both publishers as well as advertisers…
gr8 tips…gr8 vid tuts..
Great info, I just started blogging hope I am doing the right thing
Damian´s lastest post..Death Race 2008
I like 250 x 250 in post text and 160 x 600 in sidebar but it difficult to get good traffic. How about adwords ? do you think I can get click for traffic coming from adwords?
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