How does having a 3rd column effect earnings?

[crick]

OK, I currently have a left column with the navigation and then the content to the right of it with ads blended in with the content. Now that my site is expanding, I want to have a column on the right with other similar articles listed there, but some say, in order to get a very high CTR, you should keep as few clickable options as possible (few alternative links to the ads). If I do have other links on the right, it will be directly to the right of ads.

Will this reduce my CTR? Wouldn't it increase page views though?

[swa66]

Just add you additional pages and add ads on them as well.
?Make your site for the visitors not for adsense.

[Hubbard]

The secret to all effective web design is the three click rule. Your visitors must be able to get to what they want to read within 3 clicks or there is a chance they will leave out of boredom. People have limited surfing time.