Auto-Ads Revisited

HELP - What to do?

[Sally Stitts]

I did the site search of this site for - auto-ads.
I wish that it were possible to list the results by date, because one must search through a TON of old posts to find the gold.

Google has been pushing me to use "Auto-ads" for a long time, but I have resisted due to all the issues described here.
I thought I would give them a try, but I am bewildered by all the options -

1. Display ads
2. In-feed ads (clear where to use these)
3. In-article ads
4. Matched content ads
5. Anchor ads
6. Vignette ads

Which options should I try/ use?
I would like to save time by getting advice from you folks, to avoid any known pitfalls. By learning from others.
What say you?

Do you have any strong opinion about which options are GOOD?
Do you have any strong opinion about which options are BAD?

Can I specify auto-ads by page, or must it be a blanket, site-wide choice?

I will experiment, of course, but if you have any guidance in this matter, I would love to hear it.

Thank you for any hints that you can give me.
.
EDIT -
I am concerned about the "all or nothing" nature of this implementation. Can I just try it on single pages to see how it works?
Under "1 - Choose Global Settings" - all options are enabled. Do I just click on "Save" at the bottom, to enable all auto-ads globally?

Under "2 - Place code on your page" - is greyed out - how do I see the code? WHEN do I see the code? Is this URL page-specific code, intended to override the global settings?

[Nightmute]

I'm also being pushed into auto-ads and currently testing.

Are auto ads primarily mobile? Seeing basically zero desktop impressions on a ton of traffic.

I only have anchor ads disabled currently.

[CommandDork]

I would consider activating anchor ads for at least a trial run. They do very well for me.

[Nightmute]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Currently running a multi size adhesive(anchor) through DFP and not sure if I trust auto ads to play nicely with it.

I have a suspicion that the adsense version could do better on some verticals though. Will update if I get around to testing that.

[Sally Stitts]

Well, I have now a few months experience with auto-ads.

1. The CPM for "Matched Content" was abysmal. I turned those off (no brainer).

   On my top pages -

2. I often get 5 ad blocks, identical format (too many).

3. They are frequently the SAME TWO d@mned ads, same format (not good).

4. They are mostly UNTARGETTED.

5. On desktop, they are wider than infinity (looks terrible).
--- Resizing the window truncates the text.

CONCLUSIONS -
1. I EARNED LESS, after I implemented auto-ads on tons of pages.

2. Google's "AI" is decidedly dumber than dirt.

3. For my most important pages, I AM FORCED to remove the auto-ad code.
--- (If I have ANY freaking pride, whatsoever.)
--- (I will probably end up removing ALL the auto-ad code entirely. NO BENEFIT!)

4. Auto-ad reporting sucks - I have no idea where the in-page "inserted ads" were inserted.
This is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. And, frankly, mind-bogglingly daft.

Time to give mediadotnet another look? Maybe they have improved. Maybe I'll win the lottery tonight.
If they are just marginally better than they were, they will now beat AdCents, hands down.

Is/Was your experience similar? If so, what did you do? Who ya gonna call?
.

[Sally Stitts]

OK.
I just disabled ALL my "In-article" ads, as well.
So, now, I just have "Display ads", "Anchor ads" and "Vignette ads" enabled in my "Auto ads Global Settings".

Hopefully, this fix will make me appear "not as stupid" and "not as money-grubbing", as I looked before.

And, I can stop wondering on which pages the auto-insertions occur.
And, my CPM will automagically improve!
Cheers.
.

[Sally Stitts]

Mediadotnet is out of the question.
I had to cancel my Paypal account due to raging incompetence, and shenanigans.
They now DEMAND a Payoneer account.
I checked it out - FEES out the ying. Joining fees, monthly fees, transaction fees. No thanks.
Probably more than I will make with Mediadotnet. Fugitaboutit.

I sure wish there were a viable third option. Eventually, perhaps, but not now.
No cigar for this kid. Back to writing my book. Reading WebmasterWorld daily writes 80% of it.
.

[Sally Stitts]

Even though I have disabled ALL auto-ads now, except "Anchor ads" and "Vignette ads",
I am STILL getting tons of "In article" auto-ads - five huge blocks full of junk.

I am now convinced that the only way to avoid AUTO AD HORROR, is
to remove ALL Auto-ad code from the heading of EVERY webpage.

It is all a ruse to get you to spin your wheels, and chase your tail. I call BS!
What a sheer, utter waste of time auto-ads has been.
DONE.
.

[Samsam1978]

I use autoads and its yielded good results for me plus something I dont have to worry about

[Sally Stitts]

So, you don't worry about the user's experience?
I do.
Especially, when I myself blast away from pages that have MANY, IDENTICAL, OBNOXIOUS, IRRELEVANT ads?

If I am offended by AS (Artificial Stupidity) "Auto ads", I assume that others are, as well.
I do not wish to contribute to the problem, hoping to get a few pennies by driving people to distraction.
I'd rather try to retain some respect for my site from my readers, rather than look like a ho-dog for pennies,
and cheapen their web experience. It is all about how I wish to be perceived -
relevant and competent, or spamming with garbage just to get money.
.

[skaterpunk]

Sally Stitts, I agree with everything you said.

There needs to be a monetary solution for websites, but AI ads (especially bad looking ads) mucking up a page isn't it, IMO.