Is it OK to place bullets next to the ads?

[anon123]

I'm not trying to entice clicks, but rather, just have it blend better with the way my site is designed.

Currently, I have a menu/block that looks like this:

More News

• Older News Entries [webmasterworld.com]

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Blogroll

• Link 1 [webmasterworld.com]

• Link 2 [webmasterworld.com]

• Link 3 [webmasterworld.com]

Sponsored Links

Adsense Link 1 [webmasterworld.com]

Adsense Link 2 [webmasterworld.com]

Adsense Link 3 [webmasterworld.com]

Notice how the "Sponsored Links" is missing the bullets that the other links have, and it doesn't look quite right? I just want it to blend better.

I wouldn't need to modify the Adsense code, it would be outside of it. Is this OK within Google's TOS?

[Leosghost]

No

[Play_Bach]

> Notice how the "Sponsored Links" is missing the bullets that the other links have, and it doesn't look quite right? I just want it to blend better.


Take off the bullets.

[netmeg]

Definitely against TOS. The best thing I can tell you is when putting ads on your site, basically pretend they're not there at all.

[anon123]

OK, thanks for the tips you guys.

I think I'll just get rid of the bullets as Play_Bach suggested.

[edited by: anon123 at 7:03 pm (utc) on Jun 1, 2012]

[Lame_Wolf]

I agree with what Play_Bach says, but I can also see two negatives.
1: People may click on them accidently.
2: You could over-blend which is not a good idea. You may get smart-priced.

[londrum]

you can't head them with "sponsored links", i dont think. doesnt google give examples of what you're allowed to head them as? i'm sure its just things like 'adverts'.

i wouldn't put the ads below your navigation either. im sure there is something in the rules about not blending them into your menus.

if you're trying to blend them in, don't, that is the best rule to stick with. you need to segment them so they are obviously adverts. it will only hurt you in the long run otherwise -- the only people you want clicking the links are the ones who know exactly what they are, and want to go there.

you might trick your users into a load of clicks early on through blending, but all you are doing is sending the advertisers people who dont convert. over time your eCPM will drop, until you end up earning peanuts

[zarathustra2011]

I never blend any of my ads, and usually make them stick out with a brighter colour font or background (though nothing too garish).

Does blending also apply to unit ads? If you've got a long link unit at the top of the page, as I often see, it can look like your sites main navigation. I've never clicked on a link unit before now, but I believe it takes you to a page, where you can then click on a link, and you're only paid when you click on an ad on this subsequent page?

[anon123]

londrum - "Sponsored Links" and "Advertisements" are the only 2 I've officially heard Google say are OK to put above the ads.