Animated GIF strategy for Adsense?

Would it violate the TOS...

[Chopster]

I thought of this idea and wondered if it violates the Adsense TOS.

I was thinking that one possible way to get visitors to look at your advertisements would be to create a blinking animated gif. Say, perhaps, a small little red circle...on an otherwise completely static page. By placing this gif right near the google link or advertisement (maybe to the left of it).

I know that the TOS states something about that you can't bring undo attention to the advertisements, so I wonder if this idea would be considered a violation of the Adsense TOS. You aren't actually using text that says "Look here--->" or anything though.

[jetteroheller]

I was thinking that one possible way to get visitors to look at your advertisements would be to create a blinking animated gif. Say, perhaps, a small little red circle...on an otherwise completely static page. By placing this gif right near the google link or advertisement (maybe to the left of it).

I would quess, this would recuce CTR greately.

Everythink looking like banner advertisment and the area around are avoided.

[Chopster]

I'd agree with that theory if it's a large square shape, but a very small circular dot that blinks maybe once every 5 seconds. It might make the visitor say "What's that?"..where as 468x60 pixel banners are so big that the visitor is able to ignore it completely.

I don't think banner blindness would come into play if it's a little dot. I'm visualizing a dot that is the same size as a circular bullet in Microsoft Word, nothing big and flashy.

I don't know, it's an idea. Maybe you're right and it would still reduce CTR.

[Swebbie]

Hey, give it a shot and let us know what your test shows you. I'd be particularly interested in CTR effects. It's just my opinion, but I don't think a very small blinking dot near your AdSense ads would violate their TOS. Again, just one publisher's opinion only, so don't hunt me down if you get booted. :-)

[jomaxx]

I wouldn't do it without Google's express approval. But on the whole I agree with jetteroheller: ham-handed attempts to make people click where you want them to usually backfire.

[Rodney]

sounds like it would be a violation of the TOS to me, but only Google would be able to tell you for sure.

[xxxxxpp]

I really wouldn't do it. Even though you arn't printing "click here--->" next to the ad block, you are pointing unnecessary attention to the ads, which is certainly a violation of the TOS.
It is a cool and original idea though.

[Chopster]

Yeah, you know, I think I'll take the majority of advice and stick with the tried and true way (just plain ads). Last thing I want to do is test Google's limits on what is acceptable.

[Swebbie]

WIMP! J/K, but it would be cool to know if it works and if they bagged you for it.

[dmorison]

"Does X violate the AdSense terms and conditions?" is just like the age old "Is X considered spamming?" question. The sheer fact that you've asked it means that the answer is probably "Yes"...

[moneyraker]

Maybe a better idea is to crowd all your gif animations all over the page except in the ads area, so your visitors will instead be drawn to that immaculate, serene area where your ads are. No TOS violations there too. :)

[ArtistMike]

I was thinking that one possible way to get visitors to look at your advertisements...

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Ask Google, tell them what you are planning on doing. I did, and they granted my request and I was able to do my "thing" on my web site. My little "thing" does make people look at my ads...and that is all it takes.

[Chopster]

Well come on ArtistMike, share the wealth, brother. What is this little thing? You can't just say that and not tell what this secret strategy is that you have. ;)

[Chopster]

Ok, I just emailed Google about the idea. I'll post the answer here when I find out what they say about it.

[david_uk]

Well come on ArtistMike, share the wealth, brother. What is this little thing? You can't just say that and not tell what this secret strategy is that you have.

Take the posters name, precede it with www. and add a .com to the end and watch the little red crawly thingie.

[ArtistMike]

Take the posters name, precede it with www. and add a .com to the end and watch the little red crawly thingie.

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There you go... isn't it much more fun when you figure it out for yourself? Plus my user info gave you a good hint.

":^) ®

[Chopster]

Take the posters name, precede it with www. and add a .com to the end and watch the little red crawly thingie.
================
There you go... isn't it much more fun when you figure it out for yourself? Plus my user info gave you a good hint.

Ahh, ok. Nice strategy there. It really draws the eye without confusing the visitor that they must click the ads.

BTW...I emailed Adsense and there response to the blinking animated bullet was not to do it. They said that it could confuse the visitors to click the ads and inflate advertising costs. Then they sent me the heat map to use instead. Also some additional info on Google optimization.