Does Google Really Know What Is Content Rich?

[HuskyPup]

Like many I have been frustrated by seemingly bizzarely low value clicks on content rich pages whereas "thin" pages are some of my best paying and today is no different:

1 click USD 1.92 Image only page within widget gallery
6 clicks USD 1.47 Content rich pages plus widget images
3 clicks USD 0.30 Content rich pages plus widget images

I've read and heard all the arguments why this supposedly happens however it never placates me since it is so against their supposed guidelines of content rich pages are king.

My image only pages consistently out average earn my content rich pages by usually 25%.

[netmeg]

I don't see how rich content is going to have much if anything to do with the EPC.

[ken_b]

bizzarely low value clicks ......

1 click USD 1.92 Image only page within widget gallery
6 clicks USD 1.47 Content rich pages plus widget images
3 clicks USD 0.30 Content rich pages plus widget images

Those sure don't look like "bizzarely low value clicks" to me.

[HuskyPup]

@netmeg - Maybe I've misunderstood it wrong all these years however Google was always rattling on that a focussed, content rich camera site would be better than a generalised, do it all camera site.

Surely content rich pages should out earn image pages per click?

@ken_b - 1.92 is fantastic for an image but 0.10 for content not to be found anywhere else is very low compared to my average EPC.

[netmeg]

I don't think the point was that the site or page was content rich, but more that it matched the user intent. The digital camera example that I remember was more like that a site with camera reviews would likely do better, because it was hitting the users while they were in shopping mode, rather than a site devoted to digital camera tips and tricks (which presumably would appeal to those who already have their cameras).

The EPC is determined by the advertiser and Google. I don't know of any other way that a publisher can influence it, except to the extent that he can match user intent.

CTR we can probably influence, but not EPC.