Has anyone used AdSense Optimization suggestions?

[JohnKelly]

After signing up for the AdSense Optimization program, and getting their suggestions back, was wondering if anyone has actually implemented these suggestions to their benefit.

Some of the suggestions are pretty basic, such as adding additional pages to the rotation, and other seem counter-productive such as adding multiple ad blocks (it would seem that the conversion rate would drop, hurting smart pricing of EPC long term).

[hyperkik]

Despite the anecdotes, it is still an assumption that adding multiple ad blocks can trigger a lower EPC based on "smart pricing". If Google can apply "smart pricing" on a page which displays a "one ad" block versus a "five ad" block, surely it can also apply "smart pricing" on a page with multiple ad blocks, without confusing AdSense impressions with conversions from that page.

[zyggy]

I'm trying out their suggestions on one of my sites, it involves ad location and color. After ignoring their suggestion initially they sent a followup email stating "noticed you didn't try what we suggested." They offered to give me an "analysis" of the adsense performance comparing it to the previous month at the end of 30 days. I agreed because I had the ad in the location they suggested previously and it performed worse than its current location.

I'm curious as to how much assistance they are "giving" vs "getting" - it has a guinea pig feel to it. What better way to see how things perform than to convice webmasters to rearrange their ads and monitor the results. Of course people move ad locations and change colors etc. all the time, but maybe not specific types of ads on specific types of sites...who knows, I'll let you know what happens.

[loanuniverse]

it has a guinea pig feel to it. What better way to see how things perform than to convice webmasters to rearrange their ads and monitor the results.

LOL, a bit scary there. Can you imagine if they end up using your case as a "what not to do" scenario for the future.

[Dabu The Dragon]

I'm not quit convinced about the "guinea pig theory". It would seem that G would have the entire skinny on how such things will work. But I could be totally barking up the wrong tree.

[zyggy]

You would think that's what they would be basing their advice on. You would also surmise they have tons of data that they can glean insight into what does and doesn't work....but I haven't seen mention much here or elsewhere anything that amounts to much in the way of "good advice" , mine is actually contrary to my expectations based on 9 months of data I collected on my ad placement, and a color change that seems less congruent...so if they aren't offering really good advice what are they doing?

That is the reason I'm intrigued and a bit curious as to their motivations...it just seems a little weird, not conspiracy theory weird, just odd. I understand the obvious, you make more, they make more but IS that the motivation on G's part?

In my case my sites color scheme and adsense ads are identical, the color change they suggested creates a more distinct differentiation between my site and my content. Are they helping me or themselves? Maybe some visitors mistake the adsense ads for links on my site, maybe G wants to clarify that or establish guidelines/rules in the future based on these results....maybe