New AdSense Advisor

[AdSenseAdvisor]

Hi All,

Our previous ASA is transitioning to a new role within Google, so I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be your new ASA.

I really look forward to working with you.

Fire away!

ASA

[htdawg]

@hobbs "let's see if this one tastes different" lol!

now for the questions! Are the any plans in the near future for EFT in Greece?

[AdSenseAdvisor]

We're always working on expanding payment options to global publishers. I can't speculate on what will be available where and when.

I can tell you that whenever EFT reaches a new country, we announce it on the Official AdSense Blog at [adsense.blogspot.com...]

ASA

[mysticalsock]

Welcome ASA,
I'd like to know why my earnings have dropped by 75% and why I didn't get the nice email from adsense that everyone else got.

[rocco]

Since Microsoft has risen the payout to partners of their nonSense program to 135% of advertiser spending, Google thinks they must send us another ASA? Better increase payouts as well, getting 12.5% sucks! Good luck.

[martinibuster]

...we announce it on the Official AdSense Blog at...

While I appreciate that Google has a blog for announcing different things, the conversation is here on WebmasterWorld. The ASA position could be more effective by announcing the important things that matter here, where the publishers are.

[rj87uk]

While I appreciate that Google has a blog for announcing different things, the conversation is here on WebmasterWorld. The ASA position could be more effective by announcing the important things that matter here, where the publishers are.

I agree with that statement - I spend most of my time here and I am never on the Adsense blog. It would be great if you could post news here too?

[signor_john]

While I appreciate that Google has a blog for announcing different things, the conversation is here on WebmasterWorld. The ASA position could be more effective by announcing the important things that matter here, where the publishers are.

Where which publishers are?

In the overall scheme of things, and compared to what it used to be, this forum seems pretty quiet to me. And let's be realistic: If you were Google, would you outsource the "conversation" to a third-party forum?

[martinibuster]

signor_john, corporate blogs are for marketing. The dialog is principally one way, which makes it more a message than an actual dialog. That's not Google's fault. That's generally the nature of blogs, of one voice communicating a message. That's not a conversation. If Google wants a conversation, then it's an effective use of ASA to go where the conversation is happening.

WebmasterWorld's AdSense forum is a community where publishers are discussing issues. It's not outsourcing the dialog to visit the forum where their publishers are hanging out just as it's not outsourcing for Matt to come to PubCon. Speaking of which, I don't recall seeing you there. But I did see Matt. ;)

[night707]

Hi ASA,

welcome to WebmasterWorld and all the best for your new role!

Could it be that there are earning caps on accounts ? Over the years it was observed, that adsense revenues remained stable over certain periods. Pretty much the same earnings for for several months at lets say $800 that they went down to $500 or a few months and so on, just as example figures. One month $510, next one $495 and so on. The amount of ad impression stable over both periods, and only revenues were brougtht down.

[ArtistMike]

Do you really expect ASA to say, "Yes, there are earning caps on accounts, you are only allowed to earn so much, past that Google takes the rest."

Chuckle, come on... even if it were true, ASA would not be allowed to tell you.

Mike

[jaynl]

I hope this new thread will be a success, soon. ASA has not given me or others any new insights, IMHO.

[farmboy]

When the last ASA came along, I suggested we ask the ASA an important question and then hold off on other questions until we got a response - even if the response was that Google simply wasn't going to answer the question - at least we'd know.

My suggestion was rejected by a number of people. Then we had those monthly threads where lots of questions and suggestions were thrown at the ASA month after month, and with a couple of minor exceptions, we never learned much at all from that ASA.

So I'll throw my suggestion out there again.

The problem addressed by this thread - [webmasterworld.com...] - for example, which renders the filter useless in some situations, might be a good place to start. Let's see if we can get a straightforward response.

FarmBoy

[StoutFiles]

I'm with Farmboy. Let's get one question answered at a time, and I think this is a good place to start.

[fredw]

I suggest we be realistic. Why would we assume ASA has the ability or authority answer any specific question?

I'm just personally glad we have an ASA and at least it seems like they're paying serious attention to what's happening in this forum.

[zett]

Now, how do I say it without offending anyone...

I'm just personally glad we have an ASA and at least it seems like they're paying serious attention to what's happening in this forum.

Personally, yeah, I am also glad that we have an ASA here. Just as glad as I am that there is a sun that goes up in the morning, or that there are thousands of recipe websites, or that I can buy a beer every night. But does this presence of a potential solution help me getting my problems solved?

And what makes you think that Google is paying serious attention to this forum? What, exactly?

I have no hopes to get serious replies from ASA beyond stuff that has been pushed through other channels already (e.g. Google Adsense blog). Heck, ASA even thought that pointing to the official Adsense blog might be a good idea.

[Hobbs]

Use the tools you have, drop feedback and move on, it's over optimistic to think you can corner Google into a real discussion, and simplistic to expect an explanation of market and business forces preventing them from fulfilling your wishes.

Do not confuse a forum with a lobby, or feedback with a conversation.

If Google ever wanted to engage any of you in a discussion they already have your number, restrict your hopes to having your wishes intersecting with their agenda if you do not want to get repeatedly disappointed.

And give poor Obama & ASA a break, they're busy fixing my EPC.

[ArtistMike]

There is no money in it for Google to help us make more money... oh wait ... is that right? The more money we make the more Google makes? That can't be right. Google tells us to put more ad blocks on the web pages, but that makes us less money, what? Why would Google tell us to do something that makes us less money? That seems odd.

Google tells us not to change the names of the channels ... but when you do, the algo gets shocked into giving more money per click. Wow. But Google tells you not to do that. Why?

Will ASA comment? NO.

[ArtistMike]

Oh, also Google tells you to blend your ads... but when you do, you are "Smart Priced" for doing that. Why would Google tell you to do something that lowers your earnings?

Will ASA comment? NO.

[johnnie]

I second the question on analytics integration. Do you have any timetable on its rollout in Europe?

[Lagonda]

It's tough to be an ASA...

[ganeshcp]

Oh, also Google tells you to blend your ads... but when you do, you are "Smart Priced" for doing that.

Might sound dumb...but I didn't know that! Is it true?

@Hobbs Well said...I do agree with you. After all every ASA has a boss to answer to. And Google is a corporate entity at the end of the day.

[kaustubh]

Hi ASA,

Is Google still offering this:

[adsense.blogspot.com...]

[google.com...]

I checked my adsense account and I did not see this option on my "set up ads" page - just wondering if this option is still available for me to display on my sites.

If yes, can you please tell me how I could go about it?

Cheers!

[Scurramunga]

Every time I read a thread like this, I feel as if we have become suspended in a time warp. Mmmmm, maybe Prof Hawking might benefit from visiting this thread.

[edited by: Scurramunga at 1:11 pm (utc) on Nov. 17, 2008]

[wyweb]

Our previous ASA is transitioning to a new role within Google...

Read: Was hauled out in a straitjacket mumbling incoherently.

[Hobbs]

It was Ken that broke the previous ASA with his repeated requests for "meaningful communication", must be an infinite loop, take it easy on fresh ASA, start with just communication, then take it from there.

[zett]

repeated requests for "meaningful communication"

At least it was not ME with MY repeated requests for an improved filter! Phew. (Wiping sweat from forehead.)

[ken_b]

It was Ken that broke the previous ASA with his repeated requests for "meaningful communication",...

Hey, I believe those requests were for "prompt and meaningful communication". :)

We've already seen a hint of what kind of communication we can expect from the new ASA....

From the exchange rate thread...

I understand your concerns and will pass them along. That's the best I can do.

I would like to remind you that every month, AdSense issues EFT payments in 16 local currencies and checks in even more. That is not an easy task. If you are unhappy with the exchange rate we use, you are always welcome to switch to USD checks.

ASA

There ya have it, apparently it is hard being Google, and if we don't like the way they do things, well.........

in other words, new singer, same old song.

[farmboy]

If Google ever wanted to engage any of you in a discussion they already have your number...

So what's the point of having an ASA here?

...it's over optimistic to think you can corner Google into a real discussion...

...start with just communication, then take it from there...

Communication without discussion sounds like one-way communication. Google doesn't need an ASA to announce his or her presence here to accomplish that, they could just lurk and read the threads.

Every time I read a thread like this, I feel as if we have become suspended in a time warp.

I agree. My bad. I've been a publisher long enough to know better than to expect any real improvements in the communication FROM Google.

FarmBoy

[night707]

I've been a publisher long enough to know better than to expect any real improvements in the communication FROM Google.

Google has no competition, is filthy rich and can do anything.

[Hobbs]

>what's the point of having an ASA here?

Beats me, so far they only ask for feedback, mirror blog announcements and clear misconceptions once in a while, you've been here for 3 years and 11 days, correct me if I'm wrong.

>they could just lurk

And they do, but it must feel more 'engaging' to send a Googler among the natives, just please don't break our brand new ASA with unreasonable expectations.