Forum Moderators: martinibuster
I for one do not like that as people may click on that rather than the ad.
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In fact I have now just seen one add that had no ads but just a whole bunch of links for related searches.
PixelJuice, I haven't checked yet today, but they were doing something quite different from that last night. Some of my pages had as many as four related searches even though the tower was filled with real ads.
what do you mean 4eyes? Are you saying they may have been runnning ads past advertisers budgets and now have to cut back to make up for the over extension?
AFAIK Google spreads adwords over the whole day in an 'intelligent' way to make sure that the ads do not exceed their daily budget, whilst still getting an even hourly distribution.
From that data they should be able to work out which ads are likely to meet that total through Adwords alone, and use Adsense just to top up the others.
Whatever their logic, if they don't change things PDQ I am pulling the lot - the CPM today has dropped down below the rates I can get elsewhere. My figures (assuming they are being accurately reported by Google) are statistically significant now - my page views are normal, but my CTR and revenue per click are both less than half the previous figures.
Google has every right to do as they please. It is still disappointing that such a promising concept (for my needs) has failed to deliver.
When first introduced, I thought that adsense could add value to my site. The income for both me and Google was a nice bonus.
I really believed that adsense could add value to my site by delivering related, but complimentary ads. In practice it only carries my competitors, and ignores the specific topics of the content pages on which I chose to run ads.
Now, with the ads more visibly cluttering the page, and the Related Search linking to my major competitor(which I had blocked for adsense) - the whole package is a net negative for me.
Maybe it is good for some sites - This latest move has convinced me it ain't good for mine.
Related Search linking to my major competitor(which I had blocked for adsense)
I have exactly the same situation - I can block my competitor for AdWords but I cannot from related searches... it makes the whole concept - in long term - a very evil thing on part of Google.
I think that Google is scared of certain upcoming competition (better I will not mention it) so their AdSense is a scheme conceived to keep their position in Search Engines ("Related Search" is a final proof of that), not a serious business proposal for publishers.
Not a single positive comment on this move by Google
AdSense banner says: buy widgets here
and underneath related searches keywords say: free widgets
I remember a post from a member a while back saying that Overture UK and not allowed his ads because he was running Google AdSense.
Now with these related searches sites are not only running Google Ads with one small link they are trying to take them directly to their Google's search engines result pages.
True, Google tends to deliver the most traffic, but many view their traffic from other search engines as a security blanket, especially when Google does funny things and a site might drop from the serps. Being penalized on other SEs for using AdSense with those related searches there could be an unfortunate after affect. And unfortunately, our sites are going to be the groundbreakers for this, if it does end up having a negative impact with our sites in the other SEs.
Google should in time have an option to keep or remove the "related searches"
How many people will click on Related Searches when almost all the publishers and webmasters take them off their site and move to the competition.
My scenario is opt-out, for a fee.
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think the searches belong on the AdSense regardless. But that is Google's decision to do that, with their TOS. Offering webmasters a way to opt-out with a financial incentive for Google to offer it is at least something for Google to consider as an alternative. Not ideal, but a possible (and interesting!) solution. And there probably would be many who would like to try a shot at the additional income by not opting out. It would become clearer what effect these ads have on CTR of the ads.
Especially in the light of the momentarily humourous but undoubtedly damaging "this blank space..." message.
pixel I believe (but of course am not sure) that that clause was added about the same time as the Related Ads themselves. <edit>in reference to: [google.com...] </edit>
I'm betting they replace the related searches with a small "Search google" box.
I would be fine as long as no SPECIFIC "brands/keywords" shown in the "related search".
all the related search links I tried from my ads on several sites took me to searches that had a full complement (6-10) of adwords.
On another note, having a tiny Google search box would be better than the related searches. I think that is a good idea, and less obtrusive since people actually have to think about what keywords to use to leave your site. Make them work a bit to leave, if they aren't planning on clicking an AdWord ;)
I think if Google had related searches right from the beginning, there wouldn't have been this backlash since it would have just been the way it was, take it or leave it. Introducing it a month and a half into the program was a mistake.
Why would they want to pull people back into Google rather than click on one of the adsense links?Maybe because the ads shown are running ahead of the daily limit?
More advertisers still stick with SE ads and show less interest (due to less confidence) in Adsense.
Also, I would agree that those shown ads are probably running out of "fuel" quickly and some are pulling out of "contextual-ads" program due to low ROI.
In the end, probably Google does not see their revenue up much through this new program, even having some "damage" to their own SE ads.
all the related search links I tried from my ads on several sites took me to searches that had a full complement (6-10) of adwords.
This happens because the related searches are pulled from their adwords database which recommends additional keywords for advertisers who want to expand the reach of they kwds.
As chiyo mentioned, that should be revised to few - I was also one that had some positives (giving publishers an idea of what keywords were being targeted to a page/site)
Giving publishers an idea of what keywords are being targetted whether it be from the META tags, url, H1's etc only helps increase spam. I understand it can also help honest publishers but mainly would help people target pages for high payment pages.
In the end, probably Google does not see their revenue up much through this new program, even having some "damage" to their own SE ads.
exactly! and that's why they decided that instead of making big money out of AdSense they will make out of it a "Google promoting engine". This move (adding Related Search links) is a proof that in reality Google does not care about "publishers offering valuable content" (their untrue ideology says so) but they care only about promoting themselves in the context of upcoming competition from certai major corporations...
No, we should be able to opt out of related searches completely.
If we have to patrol hundreds of pages to scout for related searches we consider unacceptable, that totally undermines one of Adsense's biggest attractions -- ease of use.
But, the blank Adsense boxes are completely unacceptable.
I have spent too much time designing and building my sites to have large sections of key pages replaced by blank space, especially when I can use that space to place banners that are aesthetically pleasing, and targeted.
Even if the banners do not prove to be economically beneficial, they will not detract from the page the way the blank space Adsense boxes do.
I am in the process of removing Google Adsense from my sites.
This is bad for both of us because my sites are very focused, and had already generated revenue for me, and a good partner for Google.
This is the first big fumble I've seen from Google, and I hope that they re-evaluate the impact of their decisions soon.
My guess is that when they see how many people drop the Adsense program over the next few days, it may take them by surprise.
My scenario is opt-out, for a fee.
I think it was sj something (sorry!) who suggested this and I also think it is an amazing idea if google does not remove them soon. I would pay to get them removed.
People also including GG asked for patience, I have patience but 24 hours on the internet is a long time.
>>all the related search links I tried from my ads on several sites took me to searches that had a full complement (6-10) of adwords.
This happens because the related searches are pulled from their adwords database which recommends additional keywords for advertisers who want to expand the reach of they kwds.
I did some searching around and found a number of adsense related searches that returned NO adwords whatsoever, which is encouraging.
But, the blank Adsense boxes are completely unacceptable.
I completely agree. I even have users emailing asking me what's the deal. It looks totally unprofessional and is an embarrasement to my site which I have spent thousands of hours refining.
Shame on you Google.
The world is up-side-down.
My scenario is opt-out, for a fee.
Yes, it was saoi_jp (msg # 132 in this thread).
One of those brilliant ideas I wish I thought of first ;) I would pay.
We pay them to have them not advertise on our site?!
saoi_jp suggested taking a lower % of CTR. It is "paying" in a sense, but not by any of us having to whip out a credit card or having to send a check made out to Google AdSense ;) Just by taking a % cut of what we'd be earning.
I would be fine as long as no SPECIFIC "brands/keywords" shown in the "related search".
What!? We pay them to have them not advertise on our site?!
The world is up-side-down.
As the TOS says whether we expected it or not, they are allowed to do this (I think). So ultimately the question is do you believe in AdSense enough.
I know I do, I want AdSense, until a competitor is launched nothing comes close so yes I would be prepared to pay to get those Related Seacrhes off my ads.
I want ads and that is it, of course the symantecs would have to be worked out for example if you pay would the Ads by Google also be removed? etc
As I said 24 hours is a long time with tens of thousands of visitors involved, so for me I have a lot of thinking to do. When I wake up if the situation is still the same then I may well have to remove the ads altogther.
[edited by: Visit_Thailand at 4:15 pm (utc) on Aug. 7, 2003]
I saw a specific company name in a related search term link
:( I had not seen any brand or company names in anything I have seen. I could accept brand names - but if it is company names, especially competitor's company names, I would not be happy.
. I could accept brand names - but if it is company names, especially competitor's company names, I would not be happy.
the same with me: I have seen competing companies names appearing in "related search" and it happens at my sites very very often.
While I can block it from banners I can do nothing with related search... Google is evil.
Google is evil
Oh come on.. now that has to be over the top.
They make mistakes and they make decisions that do not have your interest in mind, but calling them evil is just so over the top.
If they're evil, switch. Many people who consider Microsoft to be evil have switched to Linux. You may just become a trailblazer and have us envying you for the rest of the decade.
I guess I still have some faith in G. I am waiting to see if our whining causes G to reconsider, but will be cutting their code in a day or two if they don't.
I do reflect on the fact that adsense was meant for content sites, not commercial ones. This new move will certainly weed out many commercial sites. I had hoped that the "content" parts of my commercial site would be compatible with the program. Adsense seems unable to get beyond the mainpage theme where I have no adsense placements.
Google hasn't said whether or not people are being compensated for these "related search" links. Yet you all immediately jump at Google's throat. Just a few days ago you're all loving Google and now you're hating them, because you believe Google somehow turned to the dark side over night. Come on, give them the benefit of the doubt. This just shows the kind of loyalty Google can expect from its "partners".
Has anyone written a polite letter to Google and asked if we're being compensated for these related searches and gotten a straight answer? Wait for that before you make an enemy of Google.
I don't know about the rest of you, but my CTR and payout are up. I'm not complaining.
