Adsense gone the way of Chitika

Earnings are still rubbish after many months

[Scurramunga]

After having removed Adsense from my main site a number of months ago I decided to give things another try. I had removed Adsense because earnings plummeted about 70-75% from late 2010 to the early months of 2011 and were showing no signs of recovery.

After putting adblocks back onto my site over a week ago it became apparent that nothing much had changed, except that ads seem more poorly targeted than what they once were. I am actually earning less with Google now than I was earning with Chitika in it's heyday (which didn't amount to very much).

In my case at least, I can say that Google Adsense has gone down the gurgler, the same way Chitika did over time. I ditched Chitika permanently a long time ago and I can't say it's looking good for Adsense right now either.

[piatkow]

except that ads seem more poorly targeted than what they once were

It usually takes a while for ads to be properly targetted when first put on a page. However I agree that targetting isn't too hot but I usually find that down to misinterpretation of other keywords - (eg mention a location and you get swamped by otherwise off topic ads for business at that location). I know that there are ways of telling Adsense to ignore blocks of text but often "good" and "bad" keywords are mixed in the same sentence.

[newborn]

Seriously... Adsense is by far better. But I think that as the Adsense team makes all the changes trying fix an unbroken record then I guess we will see more of this. With so many new platforms serving up adsense ads its no wonder the pickings are slim for us content based people.

I welcome more places to create content and monetize it, the Google Adwords Team just needs to do some more global marketing, more and more people are searching online globally so there must be advertisers everywhere, what is the Adwords Team doing about that?

[HuskyPup]

What amazes me is just how does Google keep earning more when so many long-term publishers report falling earnings. Yes, I do know some are reporting increases however if one reads around the general consensus is of falling earnings.

Do they have so many "small" publishers on-board who keep their receipts increasing or what is it?

My real-world business over the last, nearly 8 years v AdSense, has grown extremely well yet AdSense is, for all realistic purposes, now 10% of what it once was in 2005/6.

A simple chart extrapolation shows that if this continues in the same vein that by the end of 2012 my earnings from AdSense will be almost zero and completely the opposite to my B&M businesses.

For whatever reason it is AdSense is clearly not working in my industry like it used to, I've gone from a 6% CTR to 0.5% these last few days, yet I still see a huge amount of non-AdSense advertising going on, fairs bigger than ever, trade increasing and demand higher than ever but on-line promotion seems to be as flat as a pancake.

Has The Net matured to the extent that many people simply do not take any notice of "a lot of stuff" these days?

[Play_Bach]

Seems every time I visit my site there are more ads from categories that have nothing to do with my niche. Autos, jewelry, credit cards -- none of these are a match.

[Freedom]

The Adsense team doesn't pay attention to any small publisher who says the ads aren't matching. And as far as the recent earnings report, I have my doubts about it. Perhaps something will come out one day.

The problem with the other networks paying too little is - there are too many other ad networks. There needs to be some consolidation, and merging. Also, The "market" is trying to push ad prices down for publishers, but I don't think it's a true, honest and fair market. I think it's been over manipulated in favor of the advertiser.

Capitalism is capitalism and it's always been about one group dominating itself over another in order to maximize profits and minimize expenses. It's never been fair or honest, but it is what is. Guess which side the publisher is on? Guess which side Google is really on?

If the trend continues, Adsense will indeed become a Chitika, which committed suicide, basically.

The best long-term solution is to sell your own advertising, and if possible, to sell your own items/products/books related to the content of your websites.

Adsense has been around since 2003 but the trend is down and out in my opinion. Don't look for another 8 years of it.

Does anyone here remember the time before adsense when there wasn't much of a way to monetize your websites except with affiliate programs?

Which makes me think of the laughable scenario of companies trying to go to newspapers, magazines and television stations saying, "Hey, I want free advertising and if I sell something via your media outlet, I'll give you a small percentage!"

Adsense made a lot of mistakes over the last 8 years and the damage is mostly unfixable for publishers. It was a boom and bust and until the next big thing comes along, if it does, publishers will have to start looking for their own solutions.

I feel like I am in the typewriter business and it's 1985. Or the rotary phone business around the same time. I have stage coach lines and it's 1905. I am a silent movie actor and everyone is going to the "talkies."

If one wants to survive and thrive in this business, you're going to have to find another way to survive and thrive. It's going to mean more work and more headaches, but could mean more reward and more freedom.

Instead of talking about Adsense and other networks, we need to be starting proactive threads discussing the ups and downs of selling your own ads, other income streams, etc. The conversation needs to turn from reactive, to proactive.

Personally, I would like to see the whole Adsense forum shut down, and renamed Website Monetization. There just isn't much left to talk about when it comes to Google Nosense.

Just my humble opinion.

[netmeg]

We are only a small percentage of Google AdSense publishers. Even if you toss in the noisy crowd over at the Google Help forum, it's still a small percentage of the overall total. Also, the ones who are doing fine are much less likely to show up here (or there) and bitch about it. They just keep on doing. So of course it looks like AdSense is going down the tubes for everyone, because the people who it's going down the tubes for are pretty much all we see.

AdSense isn't a perfect fit for everyone and everything. And maybe it's changed so that it's not a good fit for sites it *was* good for three years ago, I dunno. I have sites I would never (or could never) put AdSense on.

The important thing is to stay flexible so you can adapt. None of us can make a bit of difference in what Google does. We can only make a difference in what we do.

[Jonathan]

Instead of talking about Adsense and other networks, we need to be starting proactive threads discussing the ups and downs of selling your own ads, other income streams, etc. The conversation needs to turn from reactive, to proactive.

Hear, hear.

[SevenCubed]

Instead of talking about Adsense and other networks, we need to be starting proactive threads discussing the ups and downs of selling your own ads, other income streams, etc. The conversation needs to turn from reactive, to proactive.

I like that idea very much. Especially the proactive aspect. I have a project that I was going to get into with a partner that is now on the back-burner because it needs to be able to generate an income through advertising (originally was thinking AdSense but now DEFINITELY NOT). At this point there is too much turmoil to launch into it unless I can get an understanding about what others are experimenting with and seeing some success.

I don't think it's necessary to delete the AdSense forum at all because there will always be a residual interest it as long as AdSense is around but a separate website "monetization" forum would be a step in the right direction.

[netmeg]

Well it ain't up to us to delete it anyway (!)

However, an alternative monetization forum might be a good thing. Not sure if there's enough people to support it, but you could post the question in the community forum and ask for it.

[Freedom]

I'd rename it, Ad Networks and Monetization. There are, it seems, 100 different ad networks out there now. And webmasters self-monetizing their websites is a subject that could use some deep discussion.

Adsense would fall under that forum and threads could be started and discussed there, but it seems to be a much wider topic than just Adsense.

Ad Networks and Monetization would cover a wider range of discussion, and spark new discussions that are much needed, in my opinion.

It's an idea that should get tossed around.

[Play_Bach]

Good idea Freedom! I'm all for adding an Ad Networks and Monetization forum. However, I think the AdSense forum should continue because it really is in a class by itself. I'm sure it's one of the main draws to WebmasterWorld as well.

[wheel]

I set up a seperate monetization stream in my niche. It's provided a very nice revenue stream for both me and the publishers. {evil monty burns voice} a very nice revenue stream {/monty burns}.

The result of that experience has been that if I was going after ad revenue as my income source, I wouldn't even consider adsense. I'd be selling ad space instead of the product I sell now - directly.

[Scurramunga]

It usually takes a while for ads to be properly targetted when first put on a page. However I agree that targetting isn't too hot but I usually find that down to misinterpretation of other keywords - (eg mention a location and you get swamped by otherwise off topic ads for business at that location).

I have had ads back on now for close to ten days so I'm not sure if the poor targeting is related to his, it very well could be. However, that said I am only returning the ad blocks back to their former positions amongst the same content where they were previously displayed for about five years or more.

But I think that as the Adsense team makes all the changes trying fix an unbroken record then I guess we will see more of this.

There lies the crux of the entire matter for me, I think. I have heard other publishers say that times were better for them in the old contextual days and I think the same applies in my case.

What amazes me is just how does Google keep earning more when so many long-term publishers report falling earnings. Yes, I do know some are reporting increases however if one reads around the general consensus is of falling earnings.

I note that Nutmeg is putting forward a point of view which to me seems quite fair and reasonable but which is completely at odds with yours. Yet I am still inclined to agree with you. I suppose there is only anecdotal evidence available to us but unfortunately that is all we have. I have been reading the posts here on WebmasterWorld, other forums and blogs which do seem to correlate with what we have previously discussed regarding changes to earnings over the last eight months or so. I know from own my experience that this revenue downturn is like no other which I have ever experienced in my five to six years of Adsense.

Instead of talking about Adsense and other networks, we need to be starting proactive threads discussing the ups and downs of selling your own ads, other income streams, etc.

Great Post Feedom and I agree that selling ad space directly looks like the next best option. I for one cannot claim to have any expertise in selling direct ads so I also welcome the suggestion for a forum related to this type of alternative income stream.

[nuthin]

I dislike the targeting these days too. I visited a web hosting site once and now that companies Adwords ad follows me on every single website that has Adsense. Google, WE DONT WANT THIS.

Are you listening?

[netmeg]

No. They're not. At least, not to us.

[HuskyPup]

Personally, I would like to see the whole Adsense forum shut down, and renamed Website Monetization.

Whilst I empathise with your ideas for many of us we have no option, it would be like saying don't bother with Google search, let's focus on the other search engines.

Some niches, like mine, clearly do not have enough traffic, and most unlikely ever will have, to financially justify an ad marketing department therefore AdSense/Google is that department. They are, in general, trusted by advertisers, publishers and consumers alike and trying to get potential new advertisers all around the globe to use something/someone new in small, niche markets would be a herculean task.

I know I look at things differently since I am not a traditional publisher, I am a relatively expensive product manufacturer who gives people within my trade the opportunity to advertise on our niche product sites which allows them to target their own country/target market(s).

What I find amazing is that my click volume is now, basically, 10% of what it was a few years ago...ad blindness is one thing, I just can't help feeling it's something else as well, maybe people have their preferred suppliers selected/already in mind, and just can't be bothered to search or click on ads any more?

[netmeg]

Did you ever try that heap map analytics stuff (crazy egg)? Or surveying your users?

[coosblues]

I've noticed as many that ever since they removed "ads by Google" that my CTR has dropped in half. Even more dismal are my earnings. In over 7 years I've never seen it so bad. Ads are terribly targeted and Adsense is now showing image ads (most for Adwords) even though I only use text ads. Where is the money going? Surely not to the publishers.

[Atomic]

Where is the money going? Surely not to the publishers.

Have any facts to support that statement? Assuming everyone's earning are going down because yours are is not much of an argument.

[HuskyPup]

Surely not to the publishers.

I'm confused...you are a publisher, correct?

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

except that ads seem more poorly targeted than what they once were

I see webmaster related and google adwords/chorme ads everywhere I go, even on completely non webmaster related sites. My spouse thinks its silly to see these ads when using my computer too.

Try turning images off and opting out of placement targeting, at least then you'll show a little better targeting, but just a little. Adsense is now the definition of non-contextual contextual advertising.

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

To see if you're receiving behavioral ads, and to opt out of those, you can visit [networkadvertising.org...] and choose the services you want to opt out of. google is on the list.

It works instantly.

[map1]

"10% of what it once was in 2005/6. ?£"
to me is the other way arround ie 90% more of what was in 2005-6
question1: do you still have the same rankings like 2005-6?
questios2: do you still devekope and expand your sites ?
finally adsense is by far the best way of revenue on the web and it will be for many years yet.
my 2 cents....

[Scurramunga]

Try turning images off and opting out of placement targeting, at least then you'll show a little better targeting, but just a little. Adsense is now the definition of non-contextual contextual advertising

.

I have tried doing this but targeting is still poor for some reason. In any case I was under the impression that we can't turn placement targeting off. Is this correct?

[Scurramunga]

question1: do you still have the same rankings like 2005-6?
questios2: do you still devekope and expand your sites ?

1. Rankings were very high at the end of 2010-1011 when my earnings just suddenly fell off the cliff. Of late they have been dipping and rising back again mainly because of the new panda roll outs I presume.
2. I expand my sites only very slowly. During the last couple of years I have set up another site which features a shopping cart, as I diversifyed by selling products related to the services which I offer.

finally adsense is by far the best way of revenue on the web and it will be for many years yet.
my 2 cents....

Well done. I wish I could say the same right now.