Contextual adverts - First impressions

[jchampliaud]

It’s way to early to be able to stay that AdSense is better than Asonar or vise versa, but here are my first impression as a publisher:

It is possible to supply up to 10 keywords to help AdSonar serve more relevant ads. This seems a nice feature; I’m just worried about abuse from spamers.

You can create your own ads, again up to 10, that will be served when ad stock runs out. So far ad stock seems to have run out, because all I’m seeing are ads I’ve created

URL tracking is possible, not only by domain but by directory. Nice idea if you ask me, I can at least get I idea where my money pages are.

You are also able to set rules, this enables you to tell AdSonar to disregard Meta Tags. Also available is URL Normalization or being able to help AdSonar read dynamic pages with a user ID or session ID.

AdSonar also has filters for Ads, IP addresses and can let you block URLs.

Overall AdSonar seems to have more futures than AdSense, what remains to be seem is if it can supply the amount of ads that AdSense is able to. If so, then it might be a real competitor to AdSense.

[transactiongeek]

Can you give us a snippet of the TOS for AdSonar in terms of where they're allowed?

For example, is there an exclusivity clause?

How does it compare to googles:

"Ads must not be displayed on any domain parking websites, pop-ups, pop-unders, error, registration, or "thank you " pages, search results pages, or in any email."

and

"In order to avoid associations with copyright claims, website publishers may not show AdWords ads in areas such as MP3, Video, News Groups, and Image Results. However, ads can be displayed on pages with links to these items."

Can you have AdSonar ads next to forums (like WebMasterWorld, for example .. =)

Probably shouldn't post the whole legal document as WebmasterWorld is a little concerned with copyright issues and whatnot.

[Brett_Tabke]

> snippet of the TOS

Please don't. We don't do copied in legal content.

[paul12345]

I'd like to hear info from people participating in Adsonar.

I unexpectedly got accepted recently to Adsonar and have dedicated a few pages to them (pages previously showing Adsense inventory).

From the standpoint of money I have been underwhelmed with my earnings, but since Adsense is so secretive about what topics (keywords) on my site actually generate income it's hard for me to make apples and apples comparisons between Adsonar and Adsense.

I don't get the impression that Adsonar has that overwhelming volume of inventory to deliver like Adsense did at their start (which seems to have declined somewhat these last months).

I know it's said that Adsonar gets inventory from Overture.com but the bids I see on Overture.com are very significantly higher that the pittance I get for my click throughs. The money I'm earning seems more like SearchFeed.com money.

[justageek]

I know it's said that Adsonar gets inventory from Overture.com

While it is true it has been said they get inventory from Overture in these forums it has not been said by Overture or Quigo. If you read the Quigo press release that talks about this it says that Overture has licensed **** technology. It says nothing about Overture feeding results to AdSonar. The results are coming from FindWhat so you would be better off financially going directly through FindWhat. Plus their contextual solution is better than AdSonar anyway.

JAG

[ktmba]

"The results are coming from FindWhat so you would be better off financially going directly through FindWhat. Plus their contextual solution is better than **** anyway."

I didn't know FindWhat offers contextual listings for advertisers?

[justageek]

A lot of people don't. They are just getting started so you have to ask them. At least until they make a public announcement. The espotting deal has overshadowed any other initiatives lately.

JAG

[ktmba]

Wow! Thanks JAG. Sounds like everyone is betting on contextual listings as the "next big thing". Hope it works well for us.

[justageek]

Yeah....I think it is a good bet that this is the way to go. It can't be as generic as AdSense is if it's to survive but it's a good starting point.

JAG