Use Text Ads, not Image Ads

By far, more webmasters have had success with text ads
and not image ads. They look more like part of the
document and are more appealing to visitors. Feel free to
experiment with both, but text ads blend into your site
better and result in higher CTR.

Ad Placement

Many websites try to hide the fact they have ads. They put
them at the bottom of the page or only have one or two that
are so small, the rest of the page distracts from them.
While it’s okay not to want to bombard your visitors with the
site of ads, those ads are also a crucial part of keeping your
business functioning. If magazines tried to bury their ads
under all the content, they wouldn’t be in business for very
long, would they? Your site should be the same way. Place
ads where they can easily be viewed and where they’re
visible to your visitors.

Viewing the Ads

Since AdSense ads are targeted to your audience, it should
be easy to work them into a page so that they compliment
the content. You don’t want your ads to stand out, but
instead, to blend into the page. Your AdSense ads should
just be more information for your visitors. Think of it this
way: by having targeted ads, you are doing them a favor
and making their search a little easier. The ads will relate to
your content, so they are going to be of some interest to
your viewers. It’s important to place those ads on the page
where they can help your visitors.
Just remember, they should blend into your site. They
should not stand out or be hidden. They are simply a part of
the resources you offer your customers. If you think of
them that way when you place them on the page, you’re
going to pick the right spot every time. You’re giving your
visitors more information that they might need. You’re
giving yourself more AdSense revenue because your visitors
will be much more likely to click through the ad.

Where to Place the Ad

Of course, results will differ for different sites. Generally,
wrapping blocks of AdSense ads in between blocks of quality
content works well or placing them toward the top of the
page works well and boosts CTR. Another suggestion is if
you have links provided on the page, try placing your
AdSense ads on top of them. Since attention is
automatically drawn to links, having your ads above links
will help to increase your CTR.
Example: In this screen shot from
http://www.lockergnome.com/, notice how the ads are
wrapped in with the text. A visitor can’t help but notice the
ads. Also, note that the ads are directly targeted toward the
text. The ads offer resources for downloads and services
related to the world of technology that is spoken about in
the text. This wasn’t done on accident. The Webmaster has
optimized the site, using keywords and text targeted toward
visitors. Therefore, the AdSense ads easily blend in, not
only to the design, but the information on the page as well.
This site is an excellent example of successful SEO and
AdSense knowledge.

Vertical Ads

Place vertical ads on the right side of the page. Most surfers
tend to use their mouse to scroll down on the right side of
the page; so placing your tower (or vertical) ads on the right
gives it a higher chance of grabbing the visitor’s attention.

Small Ads

Studies say that the upper right hand corner is the first spot
on your site that someone sees. Try placing your small ads
at the top right hand corner. Grab the visitor’s attention
when they first come to your site with your AdSense ads. If
an ad interests them, they’re still going to browse through
your site, but they will come back to click through that ad.

Ad Format

Wider ads appeal to more visitors because they’re easier to
read. If something is easy to read, someone is more likely
to take the time to read everything rather than just glancing
at the first few words. However, it’s important to balance
your ads and the content on your pages. You’ll discover that
the way you think the ads should be for optimal CTR aren’t
always where they need to be. Monitor your ad placement
versus CTR and you’ll find the place and format that works
best on each page.

Size of Ads

Again, you’ll have to experiment on your site, but AdSense
webmasters and insiders all seem to agree that the following
ad sizes result in the higher CTR:
336 x 280 Large Rectangle
160 x 600 Wide Skyscraper
120 x 600 Skyscraper
These formats are easy to read and attract attention.

Color of Ads

Remember it’s very important for the ads to blend into your
site. Use the same background color for your ads that you
use on your site. However, don’t forget to change the color
of the links to match as well. This helps blend them even
more.

Amount of Ads

If you ever go through sales training for a job, you’ll learn
that the customer has to trust you in order to buy from you.
This isn’t any different with a website. It’s hard to build
credibility when you don’t have the chance to meet them in
person and let them see your smile or get to know you a bit,
but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
Too many ads on a site are the equivalent of spam in email.
If your page has too many ads, it makes every ad you have
less credible. Instantly, your customers do not feel like you
are trustworthy, and they’ll probably leave your site
immediately for fear of adware being installed on their
computer. Your site should be about the content, not about
ads.
If your site is getting a lot of traffic, you’re going to be very
successful with targeted ads from AdSense. Stick with it
and don’t participate in every popular ad bank out there. It
will cost you ad revenue because it will make you less
credible.

Type of Ads

If you’re going to display other ads in addition to AdSense
ads, be sure those ads are just as credible because, again,
people have to trust you to some degree to click through. If
you’re advertising free adult shows on your homemade
jewelry site, nobody is going to trust any of the ads you’re
displaying. AdSense targeted ads help build confidence and
trust. Don’t discredit yourself by placing any ad that you
can find on your site. It will only cost you a high CTR. If
you want to put other ads on your site and on a page with
AdSense ads, make sure it’s not against Google’s TOS before
doing so.

Ads on Multiple Pages

Having AdSense ads on more than one page can increase
your CTR, but also adds more interesting information to your
site and offers more selection. Ads can be placed on forum
pages, article pages, and even merchandise pages if placed
correctly. Having different AdSense ads on different pages
offers your visitors more options. Of course, they are all
targeted ads, so you are providing them a service while
increasing your revenue.

Reduce Your Filter List

While your AdSense filter list filters out unwanted content, if
your list gets too large, it filters out the number of ads that
can appear. Instead of blocking a top-level domain from
appearing, only block the exact pages you don’t want.

Search Box

Put a Google search box on your site. You’ll be doing a
service for your customers by allowing them to search from
your site, but you’ll also be paid for every ad they click
through on the results page. This is an excellent way to let
your visitors find the ad that they want to click through.
How much easier can it get? They’re searching for
something that they’re determined to find; you provide the
vehicle for them to find it and be paid for helping them. Go
to Google and check out their AdSense for Search program.