Is 300x250 definitely allowed above the fold on mobiles?

[steviec79]

I've been informed by another poster that the rule of 300x250 ads being shown above the fold on mobiles is now allowed? But I thought we couldn't use ad sizes that pushed content below the fold?

Google often try to explain things, yet fail in making things clear enough, so I thought I'd check.

I'm currently using 320x100 which often seem to be ignored.

[steviec79]

If there's anybody knowledgeable enough to help with this query, that would be great.

I currently display 320x100 at the top of my pages, due to not wanting there to be a problem on mobiles (it's above the fold). However, this also means that on non-mobiles (which is still a reasonable 20%), these ads are ignored as they're too small to get noticed.

I'm sure I saw somewhere on this very thread, about the use of CSS (the media attribute) added inside the Adsense code, to display a more suitable ad size, when someone visits on a larger device. Does anybody remember what this is?

It's so I can then try replacing the 320x100 with this responsive ad code. In theory, I'd expect slightly more clicks, if they're more visible.

[edited by: martinibuster at 5:24 pm (utc) on Jan 24, 2018]

[MayankParmar]

@BosSnian guy AdNow? Eh. Try out: PubGalaxy if you've got good traffic. Or just use AdX? It will better than AdNow imo.

Also, 970 x 250 on mobile?

@steviec79 I'm using this at bottom of my page:

<style type="text/css">
.Cm_new_BigResponsive { width: 300px; height: 250px; }
@media (min-width:300px) { .Cm_new_BigResponsive { width: 300px; height: 250px; } }
@media (min-width:728px) { .Cm_new_BigResponsive { width: 728px; height: 250px; } }
</style>
<ins class="adsbygoogle BigResponsive"
  style="display:inline-block;"
  data-ad-client="ca-pub-lolololololololol"
  data-ad-slot="lololololololol"></ins>
<script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});</script>

[steviec79]

@MayankParmar - the thing is, that wouldn't work for the top ad unit, as 300x250 is too large for mobiles above the fold.

I'm sure the @media is the way to do it though. I just need to make sure the 320x100 or similar size is shown on mobiles as I understand 100 height is the maximum for top units on mobiles?

[MayankParmar]

@steviec79 You can change the size and it should work.

I understand 100 height is the maximum for top units on mobiles?

No, you can put 300x250 ad on mobile. 100 height is the past :D Trust me, you will earn more with 300x250 ad on header than xxx*100.

[techcrunch.com...]

[steviec79]

@MayankParmar I can't believe I missed that, but I know Google lack correct explanation on many things, so I'm still hesitant.

[NickMNS]

Whoa! Careful Mayank!

No[w], you can put 300x250 ad on mobile.

Yes you area allowed, but there needs to be content on the screen.

From the article you quoted:

“implemented above the fold in a user-friendly way”

If you have, a logo, a menu, and a title, I'm not sure that will be sufficient to allow for such a large ad. Also remember IAB/BAS is coming quickly. What might have been borderline acceptable in the past might cause you significant issues in the future.

But if you have the layout and content that allows it then great. I'm sure it will make more money than a 300 x 100.

[steviec79]

IAB/BAS?

So many acronyms used on here. Is this to do with the < 30% ads on a page?

[NickMNS]

@steviec79 BAS "Better Ads Standards" Yes it is the same standard, but the <30% is just one of many guidelines. There does not appear to be anything explicitly addressing Above the fold ads, but the standards that are shown are "Initial" standards suggesting that there will likely be more to come.

[steviec79]

@nickMNS, do you have a link to these current guidelines?

You'd also expect there to be a tool to test the pages when this comes into force, but that's another of Google's problems. They often only tell you there's a problem - they don't help you to rectify the situation.

[NickMNS]

Standards:
[betterads.org...]
Discussions about the standards:
[webmasterworld.com...]

[MayankParmar]

@Nick Hmm, I think I'm violating this policy, though these certified partners ad managers say 'it's fine, nothing would happen to your account and you'll never receive a warning".

What if I move the 300x250 ad unit to above first para position? I'm going to make the changes before BAS. I'll be going with three ad units placement with other solutions to increase the bidding of these ad units.

[RedBar]

@steviec79 - Why not try using Google's responsive ads? All I use is the responsive AdLink at the top of an article and their responsive ad unit at the end of an article. I let Google take care of what ad size is shown on whatever device but have yet to see it fail to display incorrectly.

Insofar as size is concerned I assume Google is happy with how they display their responsive ads, today my AdLink was showing 5 links at the top of the page, that's Google, not me, therefore I have to assume it must conform to their policies since they generate the ad and I use it since they recommended it.

[steviec79]

@RedBar - After thinking again, I have a logo, menu and heading on my site, so a 300x250 ad would actually make the main content begin below the fold on certain mobiles - the Galaxy S6, certainly.

I do use Responsive elsewhere, and you might be right in your suggestion to use it at the top... but I think I'd be safer adding the CSS Media code in, to keep it 320x100 on mobiles and have other devices show larger. I think around 80% is mobile, but improving on the 20% could still be well worth it.

[james007]

FWIW, I've shown 300x250 ads at the top of mobile pages for a few years now. The display looks like...

Logo and navigation menu
Header
Subheader and author details
300 x 250 ad
Main body

Typically, the 300x250 ad is mostly, but not totally, visible without scrolling. My view at the time was that it was clear that there was an ad, but also clear for users that they should scroll down (I have a "thing" about ensuring there's an affordance for users making it clear that content continues below the fold).

Some devices get a 336x280 or whatever the larger MPU is.

I hope that helps?