Visitors not Scrolling Past Ads

[levo]

I've recently tried a click-heatmap and noticed that the clicks drop significantly below the ads. I thought maybe visitors click the ad and don't come back.

Today I've received an email requesting a listing, which was already on that page, just below the ad. Later, he confirmed that he didn't scroll past the adsense ad and didn't see it.

I'm using 336x280 ad units. I think 300x250 wouldn't make much difference. And smaller units feel too narrow.

Any suggestions?

[piatkow]

It is well known that many users are reluctant to scroll at all. If your ads are just on "the fold" then the fact that the ad is there may just be coincidence.

And even when information is on the page people still don't see it. I used to have a site with my real world contact details, people would phone me to find out the postal address despite the phone number being printed UNDERNEATH the address.

[levo]

Ads are just below the fold. I also suspect if the 336x280 with a single link, with the huge empty space, cause visitors to stop scrolling.

Are we allowed to use the 320x50 on a regular website?

[netmeg]

Dunno. It's kind of ugly on a desktop, so it never occurred to me to ask. I suppose you could ask support.

[levo]

Actually looks quite clean for text ads. Will ask Adsense.

[levo]

Adsense support stated that using '320x50' for regular visitors is not advised and referred to an Adsense blog post with a responsive design code.