Default AdSense Search?

it does helps the visitors (kinda)

[sunnydiv]

the trick i am talking about is

putting in a relevant keyword , or a content related question already in the adsense search box (as default value)

in the value"" field of the form

[TheDonster]

No, this is prohibited in the TOS (Terms of Service)!

[dj_webm]

other question - why google prohibits of changing search box background collour? I mean just black and white available... I need nice grey :) but if I change it in code its would be against TOS i suspect? :(

[OptiRex]

why google prohibits of changing search box background collour?

They don't prohibit it, try the 3rd line:

<!-- SiteSearch Google -->
<form method="get" action="http://www.google.com/custom" target="_top">
<table border="0" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">

[m0thman]

Actually was wondering about that myself. I think grey is one the default colours you can use.

I wanted a nice maroon (what!?)

[OptiRex]

I use my background colour E6D6BB in case you were wondering!

[m0thman]

A nice enough colour.. almost skin colour, slightly tanned! Unless this dodgy LCD monitor is warping it a bit- quite possible, they don't spend money on hardware here!

[anton23]

Google doesn't like 'little tricks'

[edited by: anton23 at 1:01 pm (utc) on Aug. 25, 2005]

[shred555]

I have asked Google about this and they said that I am not allowed to change the backgroundcolor. They are aware that for most of us this is a major pain in the behind and they hope to be able to change the policy soon...

Maybe ASA can shed some more light on this?

[Freedom]

While I don't think they will object to an aesthetic change of the search box since they allow customized ad colors, they might object to having a keyword already prompted into the search box for visitors. If the visitor wants to type it in there, just let them do it.

If you're still not sure, write Google an email. But I think you already know what they are going to say.

Just my 2 cents.

Added--> Just read the last post which went up seconds before mine: I am surprised they are formally against this in their policy, but looks like it will change soon.

[OptiRex]

I have asked Google about this and they said that I am not allowed to change the backgroundcolor.

Well...why does Google say this:

What color palettes are the most successful?

You may find that colors that stand out without overshadowing your content are better for your site than colors that blend in so well, the ads are practically invisible. However, you may find that colors that blend in completely perform better. However you choose your color palettes, make sure that it complements the color scheme of the page.

The last sentence is the answer for me..."make sure that it complements the color scheme of the page."

[OptiRex]

Plus the following from the Adsense Support pages:

How do I customize the color of the ads on my website?

You can select from a number of built-in color palettes, or you can create up to 100 of your own. When you select a color palette and an ad layout on the Ad layout code page, the appropriate ad code is generated for you.

Yep...I don't have a problem with that:-)

[MediaSpree]

I thought I was real clever using javascript to submit the form using keywords as links. After realizing it was againt the terms of service i took it down. To my surprise the next week they introduced adlinks which is basically the same thing!

[Rodney]

Optirex, it sounds like you may be reading the part about Adsense for Content ads, which is different that what is allowed with the Adsense for Search ads (or at least it sounds like the rules may be different based on the report above that you aren't allowed to change the background color of the adsense for search ads).

[OptiRex]

Hi Rodney

Google:

How do I customize my AdSense for search results pages?

AdSense for search results pages are customizable to include your own color schemes and logo. Your logo can also be configured to be a clickable image, linking to the URL of any page that complies with our program policies. Your custom colors and logo are saved as 'style palettes,' allowing you to use different color schemes for results pages from different pages of your site.

4. Using the color palette and the page element radio buttons, select a color for each element of your search results page. The example page will be updated with your new colors as they are selected.

Yep, I have no problem with that:-))

[AdSenseAdvisor]

Hi all -

shred555 is right; modifying the AdSense for search code beyond the options currently available in your AdSense account pages is prohibited by program policies. Therefore, sunnydiv, we ask that you stick with one of the colors (i.e., black, white or grey) specified in your account pages.

I have passed this thread along to our product team so that they're aware of your concerns, however.

Thank you for checking in about this.

-ASA

[OptiRex]

Actually I've realised I have made a mistake...!

We are allowed to customise the results page but not the search box...hmmm...does the left hand know what the right is doing at Google?

Anyway, I thought this was going to be a winner however I am considering removing it since, even though I am averaging 9.3% CTR, I am not that desperate for USD 0.33 per day!

Before I do remove it though I shall try it with a different configuration to present.

I know of another webmaster who has already removed it owing to the poor performance, anyone else?

[DamonHD]

Hi OptiRex,

I too get just about exactly $0.33/day off AS search(!), but as I think it does potentially allow a user to find things that my site search does not, I leave it in. The revenue is nearly irrelevant to me for this, though nice to have.

Rgds

Damon

[TheDonster]

One of the best options I love about Google's search is the "Did you mean ----" whenever a visitor misspells (?) a word in the search box. Google is the only free service to offer this plus you make a commission on the advertising. I too had dismal results until I placed a search box prominently at the top of my highest viewed entry page; the site map. Now the search feature earns me about $1 to $3 per day which over the course of a year is $1 to $3 per day more than I earned with my previous search engine. Now if only we could modify it. (I know, I'm a broken record with this one). But blending works!

[Tropical Island]

We used to average about $14 per month with about 6000 page views a day over 3 sites with the search bar in a bottom border.

We replaced it with a small block ad & an Adlinks unit. This combo has generated 17 times that number so far this month.

There are occasions when the small block ad does not appear due to lack of ad inventory for some pages. It would be really great if we could rotate the search bar in when there was not an ad to insert.

ASA this would be a win / win for both AdSense and us.

[AdSenseAdvisor]

Tropical Island -

:) Interesting suggestion...

I've passed your feedback along to the product team. Thanks for the idea.

-ASA

[dj_webm]

sorry guys for bringing up this topic again, but I'd like to ask AdSenseAdvisor if he can clarify this (as I understud Mr AdSenseAdvisor is here to help us :)): I did ask about search box bkg color earlier on: is it there a limit or not? I've seen loads of 'customised' bgk colors on many websites, but google TOS says that I'm not allowed to change code(they let you choose only from 3), so I did send an email to support team and got response:
------------
Hello #*$!,

Thank you for your patience and continued interest in Google AdSense. I understand that you would like to give more style to the Google search box.

We understand the importance of maintaining the quality of your site and your site's user experience. You are correct in saying there are only 3 options provided.

These are designed to fit a wide range of sites and to maximize your clickthrough rates. Modification of the ad code to change the appearance of ads is not permitted and is a violation of the AdSense program policies.

---------------

hm, its easy to change bgk tag, but its seems that this is not allowed? permanent? full stop? :)

PS talk is about search box, not ad units where we can customise nearly everything

[TheDonster]

dj_webm: For the Search Box, you cannot alter the bg color, only 3 to choose from - black, white and grey. You can modify the search RESULTS page to match your site colors. The search boxes you refer to that have been altered are probably from the premium publishers sites that can modify certain terms of their contract with Google (or webmasters that haven't read the TOS). I am certain this option will become available to the smaller publishers soon since (I'll say it again) blending works :-)) Since my site has an unusual bg color, the search box really seems like a banner ad and I think a lot of visitors just ignore it due to the usual ad blindness.

[zCat]

Here's a question which hasn't been gnawing at my consience ever since I realized AsSense for search is only useful if Google has a reasonable portion of the site indexed... Would this be TOS compatible?

on the webpage:

<div id="sensibleColor">
... "AdSense for Search" verbatim code ...
</div>

in the webpage CSS declaration:

#sensibleColor form {
background-color:garishpink;
text-decoration:blink;
}

;-)

[bumpski]

Tropical Island, ASA

What prevents one from creating a page with a search box and then simply use that page as an Alternate URL for your Adsense Ad?

Mark the page robots noindex nofollow and block in robots.txt and I think you're set!

Don't remember anything against this in the TOS.

Might try this myself, although I almost always get ads these days.