Forum Moderators: martinibuster
(I already emailed them and they said it may be considered in future, if a lot of us want it and make a mention here perhaps we might be able to make a difference. I just had an email from a friend who decided not to use them because this option was not available)
Hi Edit_g,
can you elaborate on what it is about opening ads in new windows that is good for advertiser or ad server? I know a lot of ads open this way, but is there any evidence of benefit to any party, or a disadvantage to any party? (like the user for example?)
I guess publishers think it will help with people staying on their site as their site will always be on focus if the new window is closed. (I tend to think that there are some disadvantages to the publisher but im assuming that the former is the reason)
One reason i guess Google does not implement it now is that it LOOKS like a popup (though technically it isn't), and they have a brand for being an anti-pop up place, and many people (like me) close them as they even look like they are starting to load. Net result - one click paid by the advertiser, no impression!
I guess publishers think it will help with people staying on their site as their site will always be on focus if the new window is closed.
That's better than I could have pup it! :)
But seriously - another reason, and this is for users, is that users *expect* the ad to open in a new window. They are used to ads opening in a new window and when they click on the ad they probably don't want to be taken to a new site alltogether - they want to see more detail about what made them click in the first place and then easily go back to their surfing experience - IMO.
Bottom line is that it the advertiser that is paying, and (to a large extent) will call the tune. The advertiser wants their money's worth, and I would not expect Google to offer opening ads in new browser. Personally I think Google will leave it as it is :(
This isn't about the ads themselves being in a new window (pop up ads), it's about the site the ad points to opening in a new window when you click the ad.
Cheers,
Nigel
BTW, if you, as a webmaster, really need to open AdSense ads in new windows, you can do it easily via DOM and JavaScript. Just add to all anchors in a given block the target atribute.
Nigel
BTW, if you, as a webmaster, really need to open AdSense ads in new windows, you can do it easily via DOM and JavaScript. Just add to all anchors in a given block the target atribute.
I am not really for or against but you could always put some code in your pages to ensure all links pointing to external sites opens in a new window.
Perhaps it could be considered as manipulation by Google, where we are not actually changing the ad code but are doing a sort of manipulation by which the clicks open new windows (which could be easily equated to modifying the code by adding target=_blank, if it were possible.) And since Google hasn't provided the option of target=_blank, I am sure it would take this case as fraud.
[edited by: Imaster at 11:23 am (utc) on July 23, 2003]
As i said in another thread personally i would question whether it keeps people on your site or keeps people happy about your site.
1) If they click on the back button of the new window they can't and get confused
2) if they thought they had "asked" to leave your site but still find it sitting there underneath other things later they may think you have outstayed your welcome, or are a pop-under. Bye bye good perceptions of your site...
I agree with cornwall, those paying have the final say. **If** it reduces effectiveness for the advertiser would you be willing to accept a commiserate reduced commission if you implement target="blank". I guess that is what it comes down to.
And as others are suggsting here, think of your user too... who generally want control over a new window opens or not, and are sometimes angry when it does, reducing positive affect for the advertiser's product straight away...
Final point as far as people "expecting" ads to open in a new window. People expect pop-ups, clicking on banner ads, and things they didnt ask for explicity to open in a new window. They generally assume its a bit of a spin and will be flash or visual ad, not a web site. They DON'T expect TEXT links to open in a new window.
Thats why i assume it will not be to the benefit to the advertiser, confusing to the user, and of dubious benefit to the publisher.
[edited by: chiyo at 11:36 am (utc) on July 23, 2003]
I realise that browsers allow this with a right click but I don't think many people realise.
Cheers,
Nigel
Even if it has better CTR, (good for you!) this may well deliver less value to the advertiser (bad for them!). As an advertiser i dont want my ad budget being spent on people who are in the middle of another task. I want people who are willing to leave the site they are on to come to my much more intersting site, ang forget about the other one! Thats what i pay for...
I want people who are willing to leave the site they are on to come to my much more intersting site, ang forget about the other one!
This is how online advertising budgets are spent! You're paying to advertise on another site - by definition they're not there for your site - they are there for the other site - you advertise on another site because you know that people come there and these people might be interested in what you are offering - so you book an ad to give your site exposure.
People don't watch tv for the ads...
I don't think its fair to be offended if the webmaster of the site you're advertising on wants to minimise the disruption of the users experience of his/her site by opening ad clicks in a new window.
As a webmaster, I hate avoid everything that could annoy my visitors.
Ergo: A strong vote against target=_blank for AdSense ads.
I think that the more effective Adsense ads will be the ones that are very targeted to the content on the page. Well, if someone has sought out the site they are on, for the content it provides, they might want to look through it all. And maybe explore more of that site.
By having the Adsense ad open a new window, it will allow the visitor to continue to explore the first site, that they sought out, and to look at an advertisers site separately.
By not having the Adsense ad open in a new window, the visitor has to choose to wait until they are completely finished reviewing the first site they sought out, or they have to remember to hit the back button multiple times after visiting the advertisers site (assuming they don't just go to one page on the advertisers site).
I don't see the harm in Google allowing the option, but if it is made available, it would clearly state in the Ad box that a separate window will open.
Just because you don't like it, don't you think it would be fair for others to choose?
I'll say again I'm not saying it should be forced, I'm saying it should be an option.
Nigel
