Google AdSense Opportunities
Google AdSense pays website publishers for advertising space in a variety of predefined formats. When visitors click on the ads on a site, Google receives ad revenue from the advertiser, and in turn, pays a percentage of their profit to the publisher. The program is available to everyone subject to the AdSense Terms of Service [TOS]. Online advertising rose by 34% in 2006 to a record $16.8 billion according to a report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers. They project these figures will increase to $42 billion in 2011. Google’s AdSense program allows nearly anyone with a website or blog to participate in these incredible revenues.
AdSense Variations
Google AdSense provides a variety of opportunities to generate revenue. These include content related ads, implementing Google Search on your site, or generating referrals for Google.
AdSense for Content - Ads are generated relevant to the content of the page they are placed on. You have a choice of ads with text or images. Formats containing the ad itself range anywhere from a horizontal 728×90 “Leaderboard” down to a square 125×125 “Button” or a vertical 160×600 “Skyscraper.” With the text ads Google allows you to select colors for boarder, text, links and background so the ads blend into your sites theme.
AdSense for Content also has what they call “link units.” Unline the others described above link units aren’t actually a specific ad but rather topical links that display related ads. The are also available in vertical or horizontal formats displaying either 4 or 5 related categories.
AdSense for Search - Google offers a search box to be placed on your page. This may detract from your site but if they don’t find what they searched for on your site you may be able to capture revenue if any is gained by the search originating on your site. If you don’t already have site wide search available this utility can provide it for you with SiteSearch. The program offers a search box that you can either setup for Google WebSearch of both WebSearch and SiteSearch with a radio button for the visitor to select which option to use. In addition you have the option of including three sites in SiteSearch if you have similar sites that might meet potential search parameters.
Referrals - This is simply what it says. You can earn revenue by placing buttons on your site that link to Google products and services. These range from the Google toolbar to Google AdWords Accounts. The range of sizes approximate those of the AdSense for Content formats.
AdSense for Mobile - Beginning in September, this extends the realm of Google AdSense to sites designed for mobile users. Like AdSense for Content you can adjust the colors to match the theme of the site. It does, however, require more knowledge of the technology underlying page delivery then most novice web designers or owner possess.
AdSense for Feeds - Feeds strip a site of it’s formatting while delivering the content. Google has enabled contextual targeted ads for syndicated content. When other ads are stripped these will go along with the feeds.
Video Units - Videos created by advertisers appear on your site. Loading can be an issue here as they use more bandwidth and can result in delays. These units come in a variety of sizes similar to the others.
AdSense Program Parameters
Do Not Test Your Ads! The AdSense program has a number of restrictions. Violations can cause you to be removed from the program. While your curiosity may get the best of you, clicking an ad link on your site is grounds for termination, and understandably so. This is part of what Google classifies as “Invalid Clicks or Impressions.” Often you can get reinstated but from user forums this one seems to be the kiss of death. This violation can be anything that appears to be unnatural.
Doing anything that instructs or directs a visitor to click on a ad is grounds for dismissal. Google describes this as “Encouraging clicks.” Any way of suggesting the link “may provide more information” could be a violation. Other violations include content such as porn, gambling and other illegal activities, anything bordering on hate speech as well as practices considered to be spam such as unsolicited email campaigns and hijacking or duplicating your own content.
Profiting From AdSense
Obviously, profiting from AdSense requires a great deal of traffic. If you already have a high volume site you may be concerned about visitors being diverted. Not to worry! The program can be configured to block specific advertisers so an ad for an identical product can be avoided. Ads do best if they blend in and look like natural links on the site. If your just starting you need to be more concerned about content, search engine optimization or you own ad campaigns. When your ready go visit the Google AdSense Page. Good Luck!
