Thread: Which is a better ad placement? (Please see)

I am taking my old website and putting it into a new WordPress template so that I can build onto it. The template is optimized for CTR for AdSense, but hopefully still won't compromise readability.

Here are the two options I came up with so far:


This option has a 728x90 links unit at the top of the page, and then a block after the first post excerpt. The link isn't very obtrusive, but I am not a fan of how the block pushes down all the rest of the content.


In this option, I have replaced the header links unit with a banner (which is basically 3x the links). Then, instead of a block after the first post, I put 468x60 link units after the first 3 posts. These don't push the content down, but I'm not sure whether they're distracting to the point of uncomfortable.

I'd love your opinion guys Thanks!

Test 'em both and see which produces the best results.

One worry I have is that Google puts the best performing ads in the first ad block in your source code. That often causes banners (468x60) and leaderboards (728x90) in the header to result in reduced overall eCPM. The same is true for skyscrapers (120x600) and wide skyscrapers (160x600) in the left column.

Why not wrap the box around the content so that it is to the left or to the right of the content?

I didn't really like wrapping the box in the index because it messed up the titles and threw everything off balance. I may look into removing the banner on at least the article pages (seems to work well on the index so far) in return for a banner.

Maybe even remove a sidebar ad on the article pages?

Here it is live by the way: http://www.biosunscreen.net

I just modified the placements on the actual post pages by removing the right sidebar (and extending the topic width), and placing a block and link unit inline with the article.

I've also added a little blurb on the home page so that there is a little site intro above the topics.

Better? I think it looks cleaner, I'm not sure whether it will improve (or hopefully not reduce) CTR. At least is does make the page a lot easier to read and should appear less spammy.

I don't like any of your examples. Saturated with Ads.

What I suggest is to have only one squarish Ad unit below the first paragraph of text and have the text wrap around it.

I get over $1 per click on some web pages so I am not talking out of my ...?

Originally Posted by Andy101

I get over $1 per click on some web pages so I am not talking out of my ...?

Mind checking out my new ad layout for the article page? I think you may like it more:

What is Biodegradable Sunscreen?

Originally Posted by Zash

Mind checking out my new ad layout for the article page? I think you may like it more:

What is Biodegradable Sunscreen?

On the page

Suggestion #1

Place a link unit at the top of the page and the 728x90 banner at the bottom of the page. Banners at the top of the page generally don't perform well and the 1st ad unit generally displays the highest pay ads.

Suggestion #2

336x280 at the top of the post or with wrap around text. The second 336x280 ad unit at the bottom of the post. and a third ad unit in the column. Link units on the top and bottom of the page.

Originally Posted by bogart

On the page

Suggestion #1

Place a link unit at the top of the page and the 728x90 banner at the bottom of the page. Banners at the top of the page generally don't perform well and the 1st ad unit generally displays the highest pay ads.

Suggestion #2

336x280 at the top of the post or with wrap around text. The second 336x280 ad unit at the bottom of the post. and a third ad unit in the column. Link units on the top and bottom of the page.

I basically agree with this. You could even ditch the top banner entirely instead of placing it at the bottom. Place another link unit inside the content if not at the top. For me, link units have performed better than leaderboard banners. Footer ads don't do well for me, either.

OK version 3

What is Biodegradable Sunscreen?

I have started by replacing the top header banned with a 728x15 links unit. Then, instead of having another horizontal links unit in the body, I have floated left a link box. Then below, I have the same 336x280 block. In the footer I put the 728x90 banner to resemble "More Information" type links.

I've also just changed the source a little so that the sidebar ad appears last in the source code, so that the big 336 block has the highest paying keywords followed by the banner, and then the sidebar.