Moving makes a real difference

[endomorph1]

As an avid reader and poster on these forums, I have read on many an occasions about location of the adsense banners on the page.

I run a sucessful forum and the main banner has been located towards the top on the centre of the page. Adsense has been pretty good for me netting around $1400 - $1800 a month (Best ever was $3221)

After reading an article at [poynterextra.org...] (mod please remove if not allowed) I decided to move my banner to top left corner.

Wow! What a difference. My CTR has just jumped from 2.2 to 4.8

Why didn't I do it earlier?!?!?!

It pays to try what other people say ...

[jetteroheller]

My first day after completely overworking the placement system. New records in CTR.

The 5th major change since the earning decrease begining February

* over 80 URLs in the filter
* change color system
* discovered a problem with the preload system
* Ad Links
* Optimise the placement for other resolutions than 1024x768 XVGA

Each change brought a step forward.

[Brett_Tabke]

That eye placement article is a bit different that I have normally seen. That is new info. Not sure how accurate it is becuase it flys a bit in the face of other eye tracking studies. hmmm

[ken_b]

I wonder how much validity these eye trackings studies have.

I suspect that eye movent on a page can be manipulated by the page content, and the purpose behind the readers looking at the page to begin with.

If I go to a news page it can be assumed (maybe) that I'm looking for news, perhaps in a text format, but maybe in a photo format.

If I'm looking for a photo format, then doesn't it stand to reason that my eye will be drawn to a prominately placed image.

[annej]

That eye placement article is a bit different that I have normally seen. That is new info. Not sure how accurate it is becuase it flys a bit in the face of other eye tracking studies.

Brett, Could you point to site where we can learn more about this or tell us how the studies you have seen differ? I found the above linked study very interesting but would like to know more about other studies.

Thanks

[incrediBILL]

I've seen a bunch of these eye tracking studies now and here's the one thing I learned:

IT CHANGES BASED ON SITE DESIGN

The usual things associated with graphic design of center of interest, color, contrast, layout, etc. all seem to come into play, so no two sites really respond the same unless they are of similar design and color scheme. The only thing you can usually assume is english readers normally start left to right, top to bottom, unless you have an unusual web design then all bets are off.

Learning a bit about art would help most of you figure out where to place your ads as the eye tends to land on the most prominent spot on the page. Whether it's drawn in by a lead-in line, a very bright area or a very dark area, if you can look at a page and figure out where your eye naturally lands, and get a few friends to do the same, then that's where your ads will work best.

[david_uk]

I try to keep the page design uniform throughout my site, but what I have found is that some pages work well with a central large rectangle, and some work well with a half banner, some work well with a full banner. So my idea of uniformity has gone by the wayside!

I think that all sites are different, so you can't make assumptions that what works for one site works for all. Experimenting with different placements on different pages is the only way to find out what works for you.

I must admit that it's the first time I've heard that top left is a good place though. That's where my google search box is, and it doesn't generate more than a few pennies.

[incrediBILL]

That's where my google search box is, and it doesn't generate more than a few pennies.

That's probably because the search box requires additional actions on the part of your visitors.

When I land on a web site the last thing I'm looking to do is "search" the web again, I just found this site!

However, if there are things to click on, I might do that if they seem relevant.

[Powdork]

Whether it's drawn in by a lead-in line, a very bright area or a very dark area, if you can look at a page and figure out where your eye naturally lands, and get a few friends to do the same, then that's where your ads will work best.

The trick is to meld in the ads without altering the landing point.

[endomorph1]

Update: Revenue is still on the increase. I am now seeing the same kind of figures as early last year before G had there major overhaul and figures dropped right off.

I am now really kicking myself hard and shouting "Why the hell didn't I do this earlier - Take note of what you read on these forums!"

[petra]

Hi endomorph and thanks for your generousity in sharing your secrets. If you don't mind me asking, what size/coulor of ad are you using on your forums (top left hand corner), blended or otherwise? under the the memebrs bar or under the navigation? Also, do you have your forum witin a portal or free standing?

[clearvision]

It must the entreprenuer in me...I could start a business selling EyeTracking testing of everyones sites!

Thanks - Love these articles by the way!

A friend of mine told me to get the banners off the top of my pages and move them into the articles...HUGE difference in click through rate.

[roadhazard]

Thanks for the tip Endomorph1. I am giving it a try. I just started 2 days ago with Adsense. I am using the medium rectangle. It looks good at top left under the navigation header. Site still in sandbox I think. Still 2 months shy of one year. I got ZERO Google searches in last 24 hours. 900 page site, optimized with white hat SEO. I'll be watching for more tips. THANKS!

[endomorph1]

Petra,

It is the small (2 block) horizontal banner with colors to blend. It is clear of any menu / text, it just has the site logo to the right of it. I have PM you the URL so you can see.

The forum has a portal front page and forum style for the remainder.