Animation next to AdSense ads?

[JohnKelly]

In an effort to raise CTR, I'd like to put a vertical animated bar next to the AdSense ads. Nothing to outrageous, just a way to highlight it. Any opinions on this, as reading the TOS it doesn't seem to be outlawed.

[worker]

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[edited by: worker at 6:31 pm (utc) on Nov. 5, 2003]

[Sanenet]

You are not allowed to "encourage other people to click on ads". Guess it would fall under that category.

[edit for thought]
How about a small, vertical bar that just said "Ad"? Seen it (with other programs) on some sites, looks OK...
[/Edit]

[chiyo]

you need to read the TOS closer! Any method designed to increase clicks or incentive clicks is against the TOS. Think about it - if this was really acceptable to Google we will already see it implemented accross 100's of sites.

[Sanenet]

Still - would a small message pointing out that these are adverts be against the TOS? One could argue that, if it simply said "Advert", you were simply improving usability on the site...

[EliteWeb]

I think if you build a site and you have your adsense look cool, or fit into your site go for it. I wouldnt say advertisements maybe Areas of Interest or just a cool image to help them fit into the site better. I mean it is your site you want it to look good :)

[Sanenet]

I think "Areas of Interest" is sailing a little close to the wind...

I was actually thinking along the lines of clarifing the fact that these are adverts, not links to other parts of the site, so as to prevent confusion on the part of the users. On the other hand, I'm not that bothered about it ;)

[chiyo]

the key think is to spend less time on "interpreting" the TOS and to ask adsense via email. they are quick on answering these types of questions, and it could save you many hours.

[korkus2000]

Is ads by google not enough?

[Sanenet]

Oh, I think that the TOS is quite clear on this - no!

However, I was musing about where the line is drawn between "encouragement" and "clarification". For example, you cannot draw attention to the ads. But, what about on your "disabled" version of your site? Adding a sign simply saying "Ad" would certainly help users with bad eyesight, etc.

On the other hand, I rather that they did click on the ads, rather than stayed on my site, heartless b*****d that I am! :)

[Sanenet]

<QUOTE>Is ads by google not enough? </QUOTE>
On the leaderboard, especially since the URLS are not shown, it would be quite easy to click on the first ad before looking allll the way to the right to see "Ads by Google" (which is small, and on the next line down - easy to miss for many people, INHO).

[woop01]

Better yet, e-mail the people who are actually putting up the money, the advertisers, and ask them what they think about your idea to increase CTR.