Opinions on publishers using images to increase CTR

Recent trend in publishers aligning images exactly in line with ads

[flyerguy]

The latest trend in increasing your CTR seems to be placing small images in line with ad units. For example, on a 768 banner ad the publisher would put 4 images above the ad unit, each individual image aligned with the ads.

This achieves a bit of a psych game on user as it breaks up the usual visual reference of an ad unit, thus increasing CTR.

To me, this is the same as placing arrows pointing to your ad units. I think it is reasonably clear that these random, meaningless images are only there to increase CTR.

This method has been espoused on certain SEO boards and has taken off, I am seeing this layout everywhere after about 2 weeks.

What is the opinion of the esteemed WW publishers?

[elsewhen]

here is a recent discussion about this:

[webmasterworld.com...]

[Sense_able]

If anyone has a url where this is being done I would appreciate a sticky mail.

I am interested in what they are doing

Thanks

[torrente]

I read somewhere that there is this dude that is using clever techni [cashmoneyl3.blogspot.com]ques to increase the CTR the book is about 140 pages, but it cost too much money so i dont know if there is a line in his book about images. but you can try them and see how it goes then tell us :)

[AdSenseAdvisor]

Placing images above AdSense ads is not necessarily prohibited by program policies. However, as flyerguy mentioned, depending on the method of implementation it could be considered ‘encouraging users to click on ads’.

As most of you are aware, encouraging users to click on the Google ads appearing on your site is prohibited by AdSense program policies. The reason for this is to prevent artificial inflation of advertiser costs. This benefits both advertisers and publishers by preserving the integrity of the network, and maintaining its long-term viability.

So, if you have concerns about whether your site is compliant with AdSense program policies, feel free to email us with your URL. A specialist will be happy to conduct a review, and you will not be penalized.

-ASA

[kazisdaman]

are there people on here who would be willing to look at my site, i can't seem to get the right ads related to automobiles to popup, and i heard its aganist TOS to put my website on here(why?)

[hunderdown]

and i heard its aganist TOS to put my website on here(why?)

To prevent self-promotion, I would guess. And you could go read the TOS yourself. There's a link to it at the bottom of every page.

[wanderingmind]

hello AdSenseAdvisor,

Thanks for that clarification.

I have seen implementations of the pix above leaderboard ads (and others).

In all cases, while there is no attempt to 'encourage' users to click on the ad text right below them, users subconsciously associate the text below with the pic and tend to click on it. It is actually a deceit. They are not encouraged, this is more of a psychological attack :-)

I know this, and when I land up on a similar site, I have found myself about involuntarily to click on the text of the ads.

[qbert]

I've heard from another site, that goggle was contacted, and their response was that it did not break any TOS.