Turning off targeting on high CTR ads?

[realmaverick]

Recently, on one of my ads, the CPC dropped from 10p to 3p. Neither is a great CPC but it's just the niche I'm in.

In the same time, I noticed an increase in banner type ads, from the same few companies on my pages, which I'm assuming are largely site targeting CPM ads.

The ad has a 4% CTR and receives several thousand clicks each day. Basically the 10p to 3p drop in CPC has caused a 70% drop in revenue for that particular ad.

To test, I've turned off site targeting for the channel the ad belongs to. I'm not sure whether it's worth creating a whole new channel for the test or not.

Does turning off site targeting in the channel, prevent CPM ads from showing? Or does it just limit it? I can't imagine how CPM ads are helping at all right now. It seems they're getting a #*$! load of clicks for very little.

I also considered smart pricing but I'm not sure what would have triggered it.

Hmmm

[netmeg]

No, it does not prevent CPM ads. It just prevents advertisers from targeting a particular spot on your site. If you want to turn off CPM, you have to write to AdSense and ask them, and #1 I don't know if they'll accept the email these days, since there's pretty much no support and #2 They used to turn them off if you begged them, but I have no idea if they still do that.

[realmaverick]

Thanks Netmeg. Adsense actually has quite a good support BUT it's only for premium publishers. Which is a little unfair. The bigger the earner, the more you matter I guess. Even invites to Google HQ etc.

I had read about turning off CPM ads, I will ask if they still allow it. I'm pretty sure they're doing me no good.

[bramley]

What is a premium advertiser?

Do you really get 1000s clicks per day ?! And yet not a premium publisher ?!

What is CPM ?

[realmaverick]

I made the term up. I'm not sure what Google calls those who make enough money, to qualify. I do get thousands of clicks and I do have an "account strategist". But in reality, the account strategists, only know as much as we do about how Adsense works. I believe it's more a B2B relationship / feedback system.

[DaStarBuG]

Go to your Allow & block ads Tab in AdSense and block the Advertisers that run these campaigns on your site.
That would be the most effective way if they target your site via placement targeting.

If they win the normal Ad Auction however you can't block them.