I was on a site today where not only was the background of the ad the same color as the page backgroud, but the ads were in the middle of the page links, and I had no idea while quickly scanning the page I had clicked on an ad until I was suddenly on a different website.
I went back, and then noticed the 'ads by google'.
Of course, many AdSense publishers like to make the ads and page background the same as it does increase CTR for them.
However, as someone who wants to see a value for the dollars in AdWords, this is almost deceitful.
I know this in no way violates the current AdSense TOS.
But I did just become one of those 'less than 5 second visits' we all hate as I realized it was a comercial site - and I just wanted to read info - not spend money.
When I spend my money on AdWords, I want people to know they are ads. I want them to realize its a comercial site. I want them to realize if they come to my site - I want them to spend their money.
If this was a CPM banner ad - then it'd be great (and notice how you rarely see banner ads in this manner - different payout - different promotion).
I think this is one area that maybe the AdSense/AdWords teams needs to look at to help the value of content targeting. I don't mind if the ad background is changed to fit the colour scheme of the site, but I think the background should be different so as to offset it from the rest of the 'natural links' on the site and make it look like what it is - an ad.
Of course, many AdSense publishers like to make the ads and page background the same as it does increase CTR for them.However, as someone who wants to see a value for the dollars in AdWords, this is almost deceitful.
"....Almost deceitful...."? Isn't that a little strong considering the way Google displays adwords ads on their serps pages? And that Google makes those color options readily available to publishers using the adsense formating display system.
Blending the ads in apparently increases CTR on a lot of sites. I tried it on my site and CTR dropped like a rock. Which only proves that different things work on different sites. Naturally I switched back to a contrasting border and colored background for the ads on my site.
many AdSense publishers like to make the ads and page background the same as it does increase CTR for them.
As the same as Ken_b, I tried and switched it back after a couple of days due to CTR drop and looking ugly on my site.
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>>> But I did just become one of those 'less than 5 second visits'
You are a different sort of visitor - somebody who is familiar with AdSense. You were irritated by the fact that the webmaster earned a few cents by "deceiving" you.
Had you not been associated with AdWords/AdSense, you would have probably lingered around the site & checked out the pages and would have probably purchased something there - because the commercial site is still relevant to your topic.
95% of the visitors to this particular site might not be like you. Your action was partly because you are internet marketing savvy.
Was there no "ads by Google" tag on that?
The site was in full compliance with the AdSense TOS.
Funny enough, I received a call today from a client (who wanted todo content targeting for the increased exposure) who happened to be on the same site (this particluar site was a link from a post on WW in the last few days, although there are many more examples around there), and accidently clicked on his own ad without realizing it. After that, he wanted the content targeting removed.
I appreciate all the good content sites that run AdSense - thats not the question - its more - I want them to look like ads.
The 'ads by google' was there. When you're scanning sites, often you just skip things that aren't links when checking out a link bar.
Frankly, whenever I set up Adsense, I do it without borders, and with the same background color as the surrounding area. It absolutely does increase CTRs.
