Monday, November 24, 2008

Ad Sense Secrets Exposed

By Julie Roze

Chances are you've heard the hype about making hundreds from Ad Sense. Is it a myth or reality? Mostly, it is possible, however, few achieve it. This is because people are putting the code on their site with barely any thought and expecting to make hundreds from it.

Your ads can be customized in many different ways. Location is probably the most important and first thing you should be thinking about. Where should you be putting your ads? The best locations are in the upper left hand side bar (if you have one), just below the header, and right in the center of the page. One more place you can put it, is just below your text at the bottom of the page.

Let's move on to the style of your Ad Sense ads. Borders are a big no-no when it comes to Ad Sense ads, yet I still see them around. When you have a border it provides a visual stopping point between your text and the ad. Make your border the same color as your background on your site so that it becomes invisible. Also, the background of the ad itself should be the same as your site.

Your title color should be the same as the links in your site, which ever area you are working with. This will allow the reader to know that the text is an active link. The text and URL color in the ad should be the same as the text in your site. Make sure you match the color exactly, if you don't, users will be able to tell and it is unprofessional.

Making your Ad Sense ads blend in is probably as important as location. As you have noticed, this whole article is about blending. You don't want your ads standing out, you want them to appear as part of your site; as if it was valid content links (which it is), except your getting paid for it. People are sick of seeing ads and sick of advertising, the last thing they want to see is an ad.

A few more tips, I would avoid image ads when it comes to Ad Sense. Unless your site has mostly images that you can click on. Also, maximize your Ad Sense. Currently, you are allowed 3 text ads, 3 Ad link units; and so on these are the two I use. Make sure you use them all.

The Ad link units are best placed in navigational areas. Again, make sure the background and border are the same as what your are using in the area they are to be placed. Also, don't forget the link color should be the same as the other links. If you have vertical navigation, place the Ad Sense below, above or between the other links. If you have horizontal navigation, you can place it above or below.

Try to get the same size of font as you are using. There are only two sizes, which are determined by the amount of link units. If you have 4 links in the unit, the font will be larger, if you choose 5 links, the font will be smaller. Also consider underlining your links so that they match Google's. - 15254

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