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.
That said, I had to giggle when my main index page had this tacked onto the bottom of the adsense block:
Related Searches:
• cool sites
I've written them telling them what I think and I recommend we all do. I think they've made a big mistake introducing it, and I think it will kill the whole program off, which would be a real shame.Write them and tell them what you think.
Me too, but I don't expect answer.
People, please keep posting to Google to allow for optional removal of "related searches" links.
This is really outrageous that Google did it - without even giving possibility to publishers to switch it off!
It is like putting big banner saying "ok, here are some unimportant ads, but if you really like to find something about this topic, then go to google!".
Google therefore with these "related search" links bahaves much worse, much much much much worse than Microsoft. I am very sad. Lately Microsoft employed 200 people to improve MSN search algorithms so maybe Microsoft will launch similar program as AdSense.... Google should not do such thing like forcing AdSense users to display "related searches" links. It is evil and bad. Very evil.
"Also when I click on a "related search link" it results page has one of my sites listed - so I'm guessing that maybe I have an extra chance at adsense revenue."Oh, what a great deal that is!
I sincerely hope that you are just joking, man. It is not a great deal - your web site may appear among search results but in many related searches your site will not appear at all or just as minor position on the list.
I thought that Google is good and fair company, but with this forcing of "related searches" links, I changed my mind.
Absolute Power.. Corrupts Absolutely
Worse still are cases where the keywords are right but there are relatively few AdSense adverts. In these cases the 'related searches' can look extremely attractive, particularly if the chosen adverts aren't all that well targetted.
I didn't mind the 'Ads by Google' as this encouraged the expansion of the AdSense customer base.
A striking thing about the 'related searches' links is that had I wanted them I could have so easily created them myself, and what is more I could have done a better selection job.
Ultimately I would like to be able to make an informed choice about where to go from here, but to do that I need to know just how many people click through these 'Related Searches'. If google wants to put up free links on my website then I want to know how much they are used and what they are. It might even help me to improve my pages because I will better know what people are looking for on that page.
I think my major complaint must be that people leaving my site through 'related searches' may click on adwords adverts on google for which I receive no payment. Not to mention the additional exposure (free of charge) for competitors over which I have absolutely zero control.
you hit it exactly: I don't mind that my competitors are in the AdSense banners because I am being paid when users clicks on them, but I get nothing when users click on them through searches or thorough AdWords ads in on the right side of searches. This stinks.
Zero control is simply outrageous. Google is evil.
no didnt know anything you didnt Clark, but was making the point that with premium partners (20 mill impressions a month) the design and content of the block was more a consultative process between google and the client, including the price.
I dont know the process but expect that as a specific example, if the premium publisher did not want to include an "Ads by google" type link or even related sites, or even leave off any google branding at all they would get less share of click revenue.
Certainly the option NOT to include related links for us small publishers would be good, but are you willing to then take a cut on your revenue percentage as a result, because google would be losing a significant secondary revenue/branding stream from that.
I have read what GG has said on that related searches are meant to benefit all of publisher, advertiser and google. I wish he had been more forthcoming on the percentage of benefit. To me the massive benefit is to google which should be acknowledged.
If they need this to keep publishers percentages up due to the advantage that it gives to google and passing on that through CPC percentages, all well and good and understood. But even blind freddy could see that 99% of the benefit of related links on adsense panels goes to google rather than the other 2 players.
As far as readers go, webmasters can already use google API's to insert these on their own accord, or create dynamic or static links to google searches. On some sites having related searches is not useful for readers.
Hehe! i love your posts Polish Guy - many are great for facilitating discussion, and you love injecting humour like this as well :)
1. Visitor clicks on a related keyword on Webmaster's site.
2. Visitor sees AdWords.
3. Visitor clicks on AdWords.
4. Google does not have to pay Webmaster his cut.
Brilliant.
Google does not have to pay Webmaster his cut.
1) Webmaster cuts google (adsense) from their site
2) Webmaster knows that google does not have good ethics
3) Webmaster knows that google is wanting relationship just for their selfish purpose
4) Webmaster stops recommeneding google to everyone
5) When asked about google, webmaster speaks their heart off.
....
7) google dies within few years..?
I am not sure if adsense can have this bad effects.. but I still don't think this is right road for google in developing a long term relationship with webmaster & publisher community.
NS
