What happened?

Massive increase in earnings

[HuhuFruFru]

For the last four months I had a steady average CPC rate of 11 Cents. It never changed when looking at the average data for a week. Of course there were sometimes days where the average was maybe 9 Cents and days with 13 Cents.

But for two weeks - since the day after "Rodeo" - my average CPC is around 17 Cents. First I thought okay this is just a fluctuation but until now it has stayed at that level.

Isn't it crazy? For 17 weeks the CPC was low and suddenly this increase.

My question: how long will it last? Is it just the effect of smartpricing or the result of a bigger update where Google considers clicks on my website more worth than before.

I haven't seen more ad-competition in the main areas which my site is about, so I can exclude that factor.

PIs and CTR haven't changed!

So is there anyone who has the same kind of experience?

[frox]

My question: how long will it last? Is it just the effect of smartpricing or the result of a bigger update where Google considers clicks on my website more worth than before.

But that's exaclty the definition of SmartPrice (if you believe in the "Smart" part )

[AlexPAlex]

Just enjoy the rise when it happens....

[celgins]

I've had an increase in EPC, but mine may be related to ad juggling.

Over the past three weeks, I made a conscious effort to remove low-performing ads and my average EPC went from $0.15 to $0.38.

Have you made any such adjustments in the past few months?

[edited by: celgins at 12:43 pm (utc) on May 31, 2006]

[HuhuFruFru]

@ frox: I don't know if it is really smartpricing, because if, then why was there no change at all during the first 4 months that I have been with Adsense, why suddenly now? I really believe it has sth to do with that Rodeo-update. I mean 4 months no change and the next day a big rise which stays stable for two weeks?

@ alexPAlex: I'm enjoying it very much :) but it would be nice to have some indices which maybe would show if this is just a fluctuation or not.

@ celgins: no I didn't make any changes during the *last weeks*, the last big change was about two months ago, when I removed ads from pages with a very low CTR.

[donovanh]

Sorry if this is a little off topic, but how would you determine which ads are under-performing? I've used the Adsense Preview tool to see what ads are showing, but it's hard to tell which ones are getting the clicks.

[OptiRex]

So is there anyone who has the same kind of experience?

Yes, my niche construction products have seen substantial gains over the past couple of months as more and more companies promote their products on-line.

Incidentally you must get your terminology correct otherwise you may create some confusion:

CPC = Cost Per Click - For AdWords - Advertisers
EPC = Earnings Per Click - For AdSense - Publishers

[security56]

donovanh, we use channels to do to get ads performances ;).

I to had a big drops on cpc but I can tell is due to ads I am getting right now which are mostly mfa ads and I can't block them no more :).

So are you getting the same ads?

[21_blue]

I don't know if it is really smartpricing, because if, then why was there no change at all during the first 4 months that I have been with Adsense, why suddenly now?

Conversions don't necessarily come at a steady rate, they are subject to natural statistical variation just like all other statistics. So, if you have been through a period where you have had a cluster of conversions, then that might explain the change. If so, assuming your conversion stats drop again, then over the next 4 weeks you may see the average EPC decline to previous levels.

I'm not saying your changes are due to smartpricing, but that there is a straightforward explanation if they are so smartpricing shouldn't be ruled out as a possible cause.

[Green_Grass]

Yes, things have improved for me also. I was keeping quiet with my fingers crossed, hoping it continues. It is good for the last 10 days. There was a minor blip during 'Adsense maintainance'.

A few things seem to be changing and with PIP not changing to payment ... ( yes , I know there is a diffn. thread on this topic running), I hope , I get paid for these 'massive increases'...

[FrostyMug]

it happens every 3-5 months - you get a rise or a fall of eCPM. i had it happen to me a number of times... just enjoy the highs and dread the lows :)

[hunderdown]

FWIW, my average EPC went up by a similar amount in percentage terms. But I wouldn't describe that as a "massive" increase. If your EPC had doubled or tripled, that would be massive.

Unless you have noticed new ads on your site, then I'd chalk this up to AdSense everflux.