Help! CTR is almost 20% but why aren't clicks paying?

Do Top Paying Keywords Actually Pay?

[dollardollarbill]

I just created a small site that's getting a 20% CTR which of course makes me happy, but the clicks don't pay. I've looked at about a dozen top-paying-keywords lists and used these keywords on my pages and the adsense ads that appear are very well targeted. I use keywords that supposedly are worth over $30 but when the ads are clicked I make about .25 a click.

So my question is this: are all these lists complete scams? I've read on this board from one person to never expect a click over $2, and from others I hear some clicks earn them $15 - $20 a pop. Will Hell freeze over before I make over $10 a click?

[Paris]

You know how it goes, the moment a keyword list makes the rounds you have folks flocking to those keywords. The demand for ads on the keyword spikes and the supply doesn't keep up. If anything, the supply dries out overnight as the advertisers realize that they are being milked dry (and often without the expected results).

There will always be some areas that are worth more than others. You don't need a hot keyword list to point you in the right direction there. But if you're looking for $30 clicks, that is soooo 2003. You may get the occasional click for a couple of bucks these days, but you have to accept a more reasonable average.

[humblebeginnings]

DDB,

Better read this WW all-time-classic:

[webmasterworld.com...]

[martinibuster]

The CPC reflects what a search costs, usually in Overture. It does not reflect what a click costs on an AdSense publisher page.

A smart advertiser will always dial down the cost of their content ads, as low as competition will allow.

You have used AdWords, right? Then you should know that advertisers can set a different price for content and keyword triggered advertising.

As Gomer Pyle used to say:

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

But if you have used AdWords, it shouldn't be a surprise. ;)

[Green_Grass]

I am a newbie to adsnese .. I think Avg.$0.25 / Clik is good. I get avg.CPC much lower . If I made an avg. $0.25/ Clik , I would be very very happy. :)

of course some cliks do pay $ 1.00 to $ 1.75 but , smart pricing kicks in fast...

[best_Wish]

clicks dosent pay if google see many clicks from one ip address 20% ctr is quit high!

[Chris999]

talk of $15 and $30 clicks is just fantasy. Since google only gives you a 50% or less split this would suggest min $30 and $60 cost to the advertiser.

Who would pay that much? I read an article a while ago which stated the top keywords are around to $3 mark.

I think you are thinking of eCPM (effective cost per 1000 impressions) not cost per click. $30 per 1000 impressions is a great return.

Correct me if i'm wrong.

[Andrew Bassett]

Chris999, the word on the grapevine is that AS publishers get about 78% of the cut and Google about 22%.

[humblebeginnings]

"talk of $15 and $30 clicks is just fantasy."

Not really, they appear to be for real but very rare.

"Since google only gives you a 50% or less"

Google has stated it returns about 78% to Adsense publishers and I think most of us believe it.

"Who would pay that much?"

I would if the product that I sell is expensive enough and my ad conversion is good enough.

"I read an article a while ago which stated the top keywords are around to $3 mark."

Someone is gonna read this thread and will be saying:
"I read that Google pays ya $30 a click!"

"Correct me if i'm wrong."

Likewise, correct me if I'm wrong;-)

[Chris999]

78% return. Thanks for that info.

Its hard to know what figures to beleive. It would be interesting if someone could confirm a $30 or even $15 click

[arubicus]

" "talk of $15 and $30 clicks is just fantasy."

"Not really, they appear to be for real but very rare."

Actually that is not rare at all. Of course this depends on your topic area.

[danimal]

>>>Google has stated it returns about 78% to Adsense publishers and I think most of us believe it.<<<

google never stated any such thing... the mis-quoted 78% figure you are referring to is what google calls tac, or traffic acquisition costs, as is clearly stated in the annual report.

most people believe that tac is somehow split between adsense publishers, adsense partners, and who knows what else... but it's well known that in some cases, adsense partners get to keep 100% of their adsense revenue, so it's impossible to come up with an accurate number.

[ogletree]

Things are very differnt now than they were in 2003. It is hard to get more than $0.50 a click. Specailly if you have lots of traffic. I sometimes get $1 clicks but it is rare. I also get 20% ctr's. As traffic goes up your avg epc goes down.

[marsradio]

I think the bottom line is this: If you have a good Website that has good traffic, then you will have clicks that will make you money. If you set up a Website based on "high-paying keywords," then you will be disappointed in the long-run, and probably in the short-run too.

Developing a Website based on high-paying keywords and slapping AS on it is basically putting the cart before the horse. I think the only ones making money doing this are the "barkers" who are selling their lame videos to a bunch of wanna-be overnight millionaires.

[mike73]

If I had a CTR of 20% and got $0.25 per click, I'd quit my day job. Heck, I'd quit if I made half that.