Comments on: Run an Advertising Audit on Your Blog

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:36:36 +0000

I recently went through and made a modification to one of my sites based on the heat map. I had the main ads located in a side bar on the right and a horizontal ad bar at the top and bottom of the page.

I took out he right sidebar completely and used a floating ad to the right of the blog post. I’ve definitely seen a jump in clicks, though it hasn’t been long enough to be scientific.

I’m still in the experimenting stage, but I do think that the usual sites for ads can get ignored as people get used to ads being in that spot.

By: David Mackey

David Mackey — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:34:55 +0000

We sure could use some more competition in this market – Adsense isn’t paying a lot sometimes.

By: arnold

arnold — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:26:30 +0000

Thank you for posting the heatmap. That is very helpful!

Drop on by sometime!
http://streetjesus.blogspot.com

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:54:09 +0000

Darren,

Any suggestions for where to test our own website “heat map”? I am sure there are a few websites out there that will track heat mapping on various blogs for free. I know I have seen them but just don’t know where to go or any reliable ones.

Google Adsense does have a recommendation but not every blog falls into the same format Google has in their version of the “heat map”.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:49:08 +0000

I have the impressions but zero clicks. The reason I think is because my blog has been read by a handful of non-blogger. As we know fellow bloggers do not click on ads. So until I get non-MyBlogLog”ers to read my blog I am not anticipating revenue but am focusing on optimizing and getting ready for it.

By: Junping

Junping — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:14:18 +0000

My CTR is a pathetic 0.31%. I guess I have to work on those tips and guidelines and try to find my most effective advertisement position and size. Thanks for the advice!

By: Chase Roper

Chase Roper — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:54:00 +0000

I spend far too little time on my ads. I need to do this ASAP.

Thanks!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:49:24 +0000

Ha, Melissa can’t get anyone to click on any ads, and Darren goes against the Google heatmap advice and “makes 40% of his income from Adsense”.

Go figure.

Things will get better Melissa, you’re site is great. I’ve read it quite a few times myself.

By: Info4Beingrich - Earning Money Online Made Easy

Info4Beingrich - Earning Money Online Made Easy — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:17:51 +0000

Yes his tips are really good. And thats why I wrote an article on my site 'Why I Love Problogger'.. Just check it on my site

By: Henrik Edberg

Henrik Edberg — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:11:45 +0000

Good tips. I did a similar, very simple Adsense-adjustment like yours a few weeks a ago and it´s been quite beneficial.

By: Etienne Teo

Etienne Teo — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:08:53 +0000

I have come to think of my own blog and how i have neglected my ads placement for sometime since i feel comfortable earning a certain amount, but with your hit on my head, i will now try and optimize my blog with better blending options which i find potential that it will increase my CTR.

By: Click for nick

Click for nick — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:49:26 +0000

I am commenting on a blog I’ve never commented on before. Thanks for the great tips. The job board is very helpful. It has helped me immensly

By: redwall_hp

redwall_hp — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:46:06 +0000

Melissa (I read SEOAware by the way), it also depends on your users. For example, most Digg users don’t click ads (that’s why Digg.com uses CPM-based ads on their site). You need to place and format your ads so they’ll be noticed, though they shouldn’t scream “I’M AN AD!”. AdSense works well if you place it on post pages, close to your content (either floated to one of the sides with the content flowing around it, or above or below the content).

By: Jose Negron

Jose Negron — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:15:49 +0000

You just helped spark some ideas…..thanks for the tips!

By: Melissa F.

Melissa F. — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:11:36 +0000

Darren, Google said I had over 1,800 impressions last week and no one clicked on anything…I must be doing something really wrong! Thanks for the info!